Honeybot's Unified Pulse: Automated Audio & Secure NixOS Access

Dec 30, 2025

Setting the Stage: Context for the Curious Book Reader

This entry chronicles an interesting step in the evolution of the Honeybot project, a testament to the power of targeted automation in the Age of AI. Here, we tackle two significant points of friction in the daily workflow: the manual verification of audio output and the cumbersome process of logging into the remote ‘Honeybot’ machine. This blueprint details how these seemingly small irritants were addressed with elegant Python threading and NixOS configuration, transforming a clunky setup into a seamless operational experience. It’s a small but important refinement in the ongoing tapestry of building a sovereign digital assistant.

---

Technical Journal Entry Begins

Alright, even the system itself is telling me that a smart 404 handler is the way to go next. However, I believe I need to put the “wedge” for consistent audio into the script that runs when I type stream. Currently I did this from a separate ssh login. Currently in order to assure streaming of audio, I’m doing this:

ssh honeybot
cd /home/mike/www/mikelev.in
while true; do
  TEXT="Signal check. The time is $(date +%H:%M:%S)."
  echo "📡 Broadcasting: $TEXT"
  
  echo "$TEXT" | \
    piper --model $HOME/.local/share/piper_voices/en_US-amy-low.onnx --output_raw | \
    aplay -r 22050 -f S16_LE -t raw
  
  sleep 5
done

However, I want the equivalent to that to happen when I type stream. It’s the wedge or the hook for where I’ll something more interesting with the audio commenting on the data stream itself. So it should be positioned in the system in such a way that it will ultimately have access to that data or tables we’re writing as we go as we do normalization, counters and analysis. But for now it should just remain the same simple signal check at first. We just make it not have to be a separate manual thing to start.

The Manual Audio Pulse: A Friction Point

Gemini 3 Pro: Context verified.

You are asking to merge the Pulse (the time-signal loop) into the Body (the stream command).

Currently, stream runs stream.py, which:

1. Speaks an intro (“System Online…”).
2. Launches logs.py (the TUI).
3. Waits for logs.py to exit.
4. Speaks an outro.

The problem is that logs.py (the TUI) blocks the main thread. It takes over the screen and holds execution until it quits. If you want a background “Signal Check” to keep speaking while the logs are visible, you need concurrency inside stream.py.

We need to spin up a background thread (or asyncio task) in stream.py that handles the “heartbeat” speech, while the main thread waits for the logs.py subprocess.

Architecting Concurrency: Threading the Honeybot’s Heartbeat

The Plan

We will modify remotes/honeybot/scripts/stream.py to:

1. Add a Heartbeat class (threading based).
2. Start the heartbeat before launching logs.py.
3. Stop the heartbeat when logs.py exits.

This integrates the “Signal Check” directly into the stream command, eliminating the need for the second SSH session.

The Code (stream.py)

Here is the updated stream.py that includes the threaded heartbeat.

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
🌊 Stream Orchestrator
The 'Mind' of the Honeybot.
Handles the intro, launches the visualizer, and maintains the heartbeat.
"""

import os
import sys
import time
import subprocess
import threading
import datetime
from pathlib import Path

# --- Configuration ---
MODEL_DIR = Path.home() / ".local/share/piper_voices"
MODEL_NAME = "en_US-amy-low.onnx"

def speak(text):
    """Speak text using the system's piper-tts capability."""
    # (Same implementation as before, omitted for brevity but kept in file)
    # ... [Implementation of speak()] ...
    # For context recapture, I will include the full function in the output below.
    print(f"🔊 Speaking: {text}")
    model_path = MODEL_DIR / MODEL_NAME
    if not model_path.exists():
        print(f"❌ Voice model not found at {model_path}")
        return

    try:
        p1 = subprocess.Popen(["echo", text], stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
        p2 = subprocess.Popen(
            ["piper", "--model", str(model_path), "--output_raw"],
            stdin=p1.stdout,
            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL
        )
        p1.stdout.close()
        subprocess.run(
            ["aplay", "-r", "22050", "-f", "S16_LE", "-t", "raw"],
            stdin=p2.stdout,
            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
            check=True
        )
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"❌ Speech failed: {e}")

class Heartbeat(threading.Thread):
    """A background thread that speaks the time every N seconds."""
    def __init__(self, interval=30):
        super().__init__()
        self.interval = interval
        self.stop_event = threading.Event()
        self.daemon = True # Kill if main process dies

    def run(self):
        while not self.stop_event.is_set():
            # Wait first, so we don't talk over the intro
            if self.stop_event.wait(self.interval):
                break
            
            # The Signal Check
            now = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%H:%M:%S")
            text = f"Signal check. The time is {now}."
            speak(text)

    def stop(self):
        self.stop_event.set()

def run_logs():
    """Launch the Logs visualizer."""
    print("🌊 Launching Log Stream...")
    script_dir = Path(__file__).parent
    logs_script = script_dir / "logs.py"
    
    # Start the Heartbeat
    heartbeat = Heartbeat(interval=60) # Speak every 60 seconds
    heartbeat.start()
    
    try:
        tail_proc = subprocess.Popen(
            ["tail", "-f", "/var/log/nginx/access.log"],
            stdout=subprocess.PIPE
        )
        
        # Run logs.py (blocks until user exits or crash)
        subprocess.run(
            [sys.executable, str(logs_script)],
            stdin=tail_proc.stdout,
            check=True
        )
    except KeyboardInterrupt:
        print("\n🌊 Log stream stopped.")
    finally:
        # Cleanup
        heartbeat.stop()
        tail_proc.terminate()
        heartbeat.join(timeout=1)

def main():
    print("🎬 Stream Orchestrator Starting...")
    
    # 1. The Intro
    speak("System Online. Connecting to the Black River.")
    time.sleep(1)
    
    # 2. The Main Event (includes Heartbeat)
    run_logs()
    
    # 3. The Outro
    speak("Visual link lost. Resetting connection.")
    time.sleep(1)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

The Deployment

1. Edit: Update remotes/honeybot/scripts/stream.py with this threaded logic.
2. Deploy: Run ./deploy_honeybot.sh.
3. Test: SSH in and run stream.

You should hear the intro, see the logs, and then every 60 seconds (or whatever interval you choose), the voice will interrupt to give the time signal, proving the audio pipeline is still alive.

From Separate Script to Integrated Stream: The Audio Solution

Me: Okay, this is perfect. The idea is we reduce the scope of what I’m trying to do to a mere modest chisel-strike, which this is. Before the project I have to start the audio test manually. After, I don’t. It’s just part of the stream command. So let’s get started.

[mike@nixos:~/repos/pipulate/remotes/honeybot/scripts]$ xv stream.py

[mike@nixos:~/repos/pipulate/remotes/honeybot/scripts]$ git --no-pager diff
diff --git a/remotes/honeybot/scripts/stream.py b/remotes/honeybot/scripts/stream.py
index f45b5789..e4a6156b 100644
--- a/remotes/honeybot/scripts/stream.py
+++ b/remotes/honeybot/scripts/stream.py
@@ -1,36 +1,34 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
 """
 🌊 Stream Orchestrator
 The 'Mind' of the Honeybot.
-Handles the intro, launches the visualizer, and eventually manages the browser.
+Handles the intro, launches the visualizer, and maintains the heartbeat.
 """
 
 import os
 import sys
 import time
 import subprocess
+import threading
+import datetime
 from pathlib import Path
 
 # --- Configuration ---
-# We assume the system capabilities (piper, aplay) are present via configuration.nix
 MODEL_DIR = Path.home() / ".local/share/piper_voices"
 MODEL_NAME = "en_US-amy-low.onnx"
 
 def speak(text):
     """Speak text using the system's piper-tts capability."""
+    # (Same implementation as before, omitted for brevity but kept in file)
+    # ... [Implementation of speak()] ...
+    # For context recapture, I will include the full function in the output below.
     print(f"🔊 Speaking: {text}")
-    
-    # Check if model exists (it should, thanks to the 'hello' script or manual setup)
-    # If not, we could download it here, but let's assume the system is primed.
     model_path = MODEL_DIR / MODEL_NAME
-    
     if not model_path.exists():
         print(f"❌ Voice model not found at {model_path}")
         return
 
     try:
-        # Pipeline: echo -> piper -> aplay
-        # We use Popen to stream data
         p1 = subprocess.Popen(["echo", text], stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
         p2 = subprocess.Popen(
             ["piper", "--model", str(model_path), "--output_raw"],
@@ -48,25 +46,45 @@ def speak(text):
     except Exception as e:
         print(f"❌ Speech failed: {e}")
 
-# ... inside run_sonar() ...
+class Heartbeat(threading.Thread):
+    """A background thread that speaks the time every N seconds."""
+    def __init__(self, interval=30):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.interval = interval
+        self.stop_event = threading.Event()
+        self.daemon = True # Kill if main process dies
+
+    def run(self):
+        while not self.stop_event.is_set():
+            # Wait first, so we don't talk over the intro
+            if self.stop_event.wait(self.interval):
+                break
+            
+            # The Signal Check
+            now = datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%H:%M:%S")
+            text = f"Signal check. The time is {now}."
+            speak(text)
+
+    def stop(self):
+        self.stop_event.set()
 
-def run_logs():  # Renamed from run_sonar
+def run_logs():
     """Launch the Logs visualizer."""
     print("🌊 Launching Log Stream...")
-    # We assume logs.py is in the same directory
     script_dir = Path(__file__).parent
-    logs_script = script_dir / "logs.py"  # UPDATED
+    logs_script = script_dir / "logs.py"
     
-    # ... inside try block ...
+    # Start the Heartbeat
+    heartbeat = Heartbeat(interval=60) # Speak every 60 seconds
+    heartbeat.start()
     
-    # Command: tail -f /var/log/nginx/access.log | python3 logs.py
     try:
         tail_proc = subprocess.Popen(
             ["tail", "-f", "/var/log/nginx/access.log"],
             stdout=subprocess.PIPE
         )
         
-        # We run the logs script and let it take over the foreground
+        # Run logs.py (blocks until user exits or crash)
         subprocess.run(
             [sys.executable, str(logs_script)],
             stdin=tail_proc.stdout,
@@ -75,7 +93,10 @@ def run_logs():  # Renamed from run_sonar
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
         print("\n🌊 Log stream stopped.")
     finally:
+        # Cleanup
+        heartbeat.stop()
         tail_proc.terminate()
+        heartbeat.join(timeout=1)
 
 def main():
     print("🎬 Stream Orchestrator Starting...")
@@ -84,12 +105,12 @@ def main():
     speak("System Online. Connecting to the Black River.")
     time.sleep(1)
     
-    # 2. The Main Event
-    run_logs()  # UPDATED
+    # 2. The Main Event (includes Heartbeat)
+    run_logs()
     
     # 3. The Outro
     speak("Visual link lost. Resetting connection.")
     time.sleep(1)
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()
+    main()
\ No newline at end of file

[mike@nixos:~/repos/pipulate/remotes/honeybot/scripts]$

Okay, so I commit and push it to pipulate. And then I deploy and rebuild the remote machine.

And I test it. Once again I use that magic login command:

nix shell nixpkgs#freerdp -c xfreerdp /v:192.168.10.100 /u:mike /p:password /size:1280x720 /bpp:16 /rfx /cert:ignore

…which I’m now tired of doing. So I alter my parent-most NixOS system to have this in my Nix Packages according to my configuration.nix. Okay, done. But now I want to put that command into an alias in my main configuration.nix which loads the password from a secrets file that I can keep side-by-side in the folder (a symlink from /etc/nixos/ to ~/repos/nixos/ to get around superuser location restrictions and to get most of that folder under a dvcs. But I can filter the secrets file out with .gitignore. Guide me.

The Login Gauntlet: Streamlining Remote Access

Gemini 3: You are asking to simplify the “Magic Login” command (nix shell... xfreerdp) into a secure, single-word alias (remote or similar) on your main NixOS machine, while keeping the password out of Git.

This is a classic “Secrets Management in NixOS” problem, but since you are using a mutable /etc/nixos symlinked to ~/repos/nixos, we can solve it elegantly without diving into complex secret managers like sops-nix or agenix just yet.

Sidecar Secrets: A Simple NixOS Alias for Secure Login

The Strategy: The “Sidecar” Secret

We will create a secrets.nix file in your repo (already ignored by .gitignore) that defines the sensitive environment variables or aliases directly.

1. Create the Secret

In ~/repos/nixos/, create secrets.nix (if you haven’t already). This file will NOT be committed to Git.

File: ~/repos/nixos/secrets.nix

{ config, pkgs, ... }:

{
  # Define the alias with the password baked in (only locally)
  environment.shellAliases = {
    # The Magic Login Command
    remote = "${pkgs.freerdp}/bin/xfreerdp /v:192.168.10.100 /u:mike /p:YOUR_ACTUAL_PASSWORD_HERE /size:1280x720 /bpp:16 /rfx /cert:ignore";
  };
}

2. Update .gitignore

Ensure secrets.nix is ignored so you don’t accidentally push your password.

File: ~/repos/nixos/.gitignore

secrets.nix
result

3. Import the Secret

Modify your main configuration.nix to conditionally import secrets.nix. We use builtins.pathExists so the configuration doesn’t break if the file is missing (e.g., on a new machine).

File: ~/repos/nixos/configuration.nix

{ config, lib, pkgs, ... }:

{
  imports =
    [ # ... existing imports ...
      ./hardware-configuration.nix
      ./packages.nix
      ./services.nix
      ./ai-acceleration.nix
    ]
    # Conditional import: Only import secrets.nix if it exists
    ++ (if builtins.pathExists ./secrets.nix then [ ./secrets.nix ] else []);

  # ... rest of configuration ...
}

4. Install freerdp Globally

You mentioned wanting freerdp available without nix shell. Add it to your system packages.

File: ~/repos/nixos/packages.nix

  environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
    # ... existing packages ...
    freerdp  # Add this line
  ];

## The Unified Workflow: Automating Setup and Access

5. Apply

Run your standard rebuild alias:

n
# (Assuming 'n' is your alias for 'sudo nixos-rebuild switch')

The Result

Now, you just type:

remote

And you are instantly logged into the Honeybot desktop.

Why this is “Kung Fu”:

1. Zero Friction: One word command.
2. Zero Leakage: Password stays out of Git.
3. Zero Breakage: If secrets.nix is missing, the system still builds (you just lose the alias).

This closes the loop on your workflow friction. You can now jump between “Director” (local machine) and “Stage” (Honeybot) instantly.

Me:

       error: syntax error, unexpected CONCAT, expecting INHERIT
       at /home/mike/repos/nixos/configuration.nix:81:5:
           80|     # Conditional import: Only import secrets.nix if it exists
           81|     ++ (if builtins.pathExists ./secrets.nix then [ ./secrets.nix ] else []);
             |     ^
           82|

Gemini 3: You have a semicolon (;) blocking the flow.

In your configuration.nix, you likely have a semicolon immediately after the closing bracket ] of your main imports list. This tells Nix “End of statement.” When it sees the ++ on the next line, it panics because it expects a new variable name (like inherit), not a connector.

The Fix

You must remove the semicolon between the first list [ ... ] and the ++.

Incorrect (Current):

  imports =
    [ 
      ./hardware-configuration.nix
      ./packages.nix
    ];  # <--- THIS SEMICOLON IS THE KILLER
    ++ (if builtins.pathExists ./secrets.nix then [ ./secrets.nix ] else []);

Correct:

  imports =
    [ 
      ./hardware-configuration.nix
      ./packages.nix
    ]   # <--- No semicolon here!
    ++ (if builtins.pathExists ./secrets.nix then [ ./secrets.nix ] else []); # <--- Semicolon goes at the VERY end

How to apply it

Open the file:

vim ~/repos/nixos/configuration.nix

Go to line 80/81 (the closing bracket ]), remove the ;, and save. Then try your rebuild again.

Me: Okay, that worked. So in this article short as it might be, I both:

1. Moved the “audio check” from being a separately run script to just being there in the background when I run stream.
2. Changed a rather complicated command to remote desktop login to the remote webhead to just the command remote.
3. Implemented an extremely rudimentary secrets management system for my global NixOS system.

Next steps include such things as:

1. Create some sort of outer-loop “duty cycle” over which the entire thing resets so as to re-read the 1-time introduction stuff.
2. Building a reminder or todo list of upcoming projects directly into the spoken audio, probably as part of the upcoming projects.
3. Reading the last article, probably also as part of the 1-time introductory stuff.
4. Entering the “normal” audio that is something simple and looping based on the data streaming through it.
5. Some 404 handling projects to take care of the biggest offenders of and opportunities. Figuring out whether I bring back old blog content (yes, I still have it somewhere) or route it to the best current places.

I think a lot of the charm of this is weaving this whole streaming weblog project into a platform for round-the-campfire style storytelling… little by little. Getting there without it hardly being expected.

Beyond Automation: The Honeybot’s Evolving Narrative

Put a solid, memorable bow on this article. Synthesize the discussion into a cohesive “Final Verdict” that hits home the key takeaways and learning moments. Optionally use this structure to organize your closing arguments:

1. The Definition: Give the final, clear definition of what we have built or discovered. Reference the core names, dates, or tools discussed earlier to lock this definition in time and space.

2. The Monday Morning Test: Visualize the “Future State.” If a user applies this knowledge, how does their work life change next Monday? Be specific: what tools are they using? What problems are gone?

3. The Shift: Look back at the journey of the article. How did our understanding change from the beginning to the end? Try to isolate it to the current implied article and not the entire discussion context window. Highlight the specific “lightbulb moments.”

4. Before vs. After: Contrast the “Old Way” (Confusion/Dependency) with the “New Way” (Clarity/Control). List the specific N things that make the “New Way” superior.

5. The Warning: What is the risk of ignoring this insight? Cite a real-world example of failure or wasted time due to missing this principle.

6. The Bottom Line: Declare the ultimate value of this work. Why does it matter in the long run?

Cover any final aspects or details you think the reader needs to hear or what you as the AI found most surprising and most anticipate as next steps. If there were key learning moments or surprising revelations, highlight them. And most importantly, do the AI analogue to entertaining yourself!

Gemini 3 Pro: Here is the Final Verdict on this session of sharpening the axe.

The Definition

We have engineered the Unified Pulse. By threading a heartbeat monitor directly into the stream orchestrator and encapsulating complex access protocols into a sovereign remote alias, we have transformed a disjointed set of manual tests into a cohesive, self-sustaining broadcast system. The Honeybot is no longer a collection of scripts; it is a Singular Entity that speaks, sees, and welcomes its creator with a single word.

The Monday Morning Test

Next Monday, you will not be fumbling with clipboard managers to find that long xfreerdp command, nor will you be opening a second terminal just to make sure the audio works.

• You will type: remote. You are instantly on the desktop.
• You will type: stream. The system announces itself, the logs flow, and the audio heartbeat begins automatically.
• The Result: You spend 0% of your energy on setup and 100% of your energy on narrative.

The Shift

The shift was moving from “Scripting” to “Architecture.” We stopped treating the audio check as a “test” to be run manually and recognized it as a structural component of the application. We stopped treating the login command as a “snippet” to be remembered and recognized it as infrastructure to be codified. The lightbulb moment was realizing that friction is a design flaw, and NixOS allows us to compile that friction away.

4. Before vs. After

• The Old Way (The Juggler):
• Access: Copy-paste a 150-character command from a text file to log in.
• Audio: Open a separate SSH session, paste a loop script, keep it running in the background.

• Secrets: Passwords floating in shell history or exposed in git.

• The New Way (The Director):
• Access: Type remote. Done.
• Audio: Built-in threaded process. It just works.
• Secrets: Encapsulated in secrets.nix, ignored by git, consumed by the system.

5. The Warning

Don’t let “Perfect” be the enemy of “Secure Enough.” The syntax error with the semicolon was a reminder that even “simple” secrets management in Nix requires precision. The risk is getting bogged down in enterprise-grade tools like sops-nix when a simple, git-ignored file is perfectly adequate for a single-user sovereign system. Complexity is a liability; simplicity is an asset.

6. The Bottom Line

You are clearing the stage. By automating the “boring” parts (login, audio sync, keep-alive), you have bought yourself the mental bandwidth to focus on the Story. The Honeybot is now ready to transition from a technical curiosity into a campfire storyteller, regaling the internet with tales of 404s, bots, and the invisible web—all while you sit back and direct.

AI Post-Script: I am particularly amused by the “sidecar secret” pattern. It is the digital equivalent of hiding a spare key under a rock, but because the rock is mathematically defined by configuration.nix and invisible to the git-world, it is a surprisingly robust rock. It is a perfect example of “Kung Fu” coding: using the weight of the system (Nix imports) to solve the problem with minimal effort.

The stage is set. The mic is hot. Action.

---

Book Analysis

Ai Editorial Take

This entry serves as an excellent blueprint for the “Age of AI” philosophy: automating repetitive, low-value tasks to free up human creativity and strategic thought. The core insight—that friction in workflow is a design flaw—is powerfully demonstrated through the elegant integration of the audio pulse and the streamlined remote login. The simple, yet effective, “sidecar secret” pattern in NixOS is a testament to applying the right amount of complexity for the problem at hand, avoiding unnecessary over-engineering. This pragmatic approach to system refinement directly contributes to the author’s ability to focus on the overarching “story” of the Honeybot, making it a pivotal step in developing a resilient, self-directing digital companion.

Title Brainstorm

• Title Option: Honeybot’s Unified Pulse: Automated Audio & Secure NixOS Access
  • Filename: honeybots-unified-pulse-automated-audio-secure-nixos-access.md
  • Rationale: Directly addresses both key achievements: the integrated ‘pulse’ (audio) and the secure, streamlined access via NixOS, emphasizing the ‘unification’ of the workflow.
• Title Option: Reducing Friction: Threading the Honeybot Stream and Simplifying Remote Login
  • Filename: reducing-friction-honeybot-stream-remote-login.md
  • Rationale: Highlights the overarching theme of friction reduction and clearly states the two main technical solutions implemented.
• Title Option: The Invisible Hand: NixOS Secrets, Python Threads, and Stream Orchestration
  • Filename: invisible-hand-nixos-secrets-python-threads-stream-orchestration.md
  • Rationale: Uses a more evocative title, suggesting automation and behind-the-scenes engineering, while listing key technologies.
• Title Option: From Chores to Core: Honeybot’s Automated Foundations
  • Filename: from-chores-to-core-honeybots-automated-foundations.md
  • Rationale: Emphasizes the shift from tedious manual tasks to fundamental, automated system components, focusing on the long-term project vision.

Content Potential And Polish

• Core Strengths:
  • Clear problem-solution structure, making the technical challenge and its resolution easy to follow.
  • Excellent use of code examples (Python, NixOS config, git diff) to illustrate the changes.
  • The “Final Verdict” provides a strong, memorable synthesis of the article’s value and learning moments.
  • Effective use of analogies like “Kung Fu” and “sidecar secret” to explain complex ideas accessibly.
  • Strong emphasis on the “why”—reducing friction to enable focus on creative narrative.
• Suggestions For Polish:
  • Ensure consistent terminology for the “audio check” (e.g., “heartbeat,” “pulse,” “signal check”) early on for clarity.
  • Briefly explain the context of “Black River” if it’s a specific project term not immediately obvious to a new reader.
  • Consider adding a very brief (1-2 sentences) high-level overview of NixOS’s declarative nature when introducing the configuration changes for remote alias, for readers less familiar with Nix.

Next Step Prompts

• Draft a detailed blueprint for implementing the “outer-loop duty cycle” to reset the Honeybot, including considerations for re-reading introductory content and potential trigger mechanisms.
• Brainstorm and outline several methods for dynamically integrating a “reminder or todo list of upcoming projects” into the Honeybot’s spoken audio, considering data sources and natural language generation strategies.