---
name: Emotion Expression
slug: emotion-expression
category: AI Engineering
description: Emotion Expression adds inline emotion markers to conversational replies so a device can drive servos, LEDs, and display eyes with each response. Use it for reactive, lifelike behavior; it is not for ambient scenes or custom LED colors.
github: "https://github.com/autonomous-ai/autonomous-os/tree/main/skills/emotion"
language: Python
stars: 258
forks: 39
install: "npx degit https://github.com/autonomous-ai/autonomous-os/tree/main/skills/emotion ~/.claude/skills/emotion"
installs_to: ~/.claude/skills/emotion
source_path: skills/emotion/SKILL.md
collection_size: 25
category_size: 2631
collection_url: "https://dirskills.com/collections/autonomous-ai/autonomous-os"
added: 2026-09-02T05:20:33.805Z
last_synced: 2026-09-02T05:20:33.805Z
canonical_url: "https://dirskills.com/skills/emotion-expression"
---

# Emotion Expression

Emotion Expression adds inline emotion markers to conversational replies so a device can drive servos, LEDs, and display eyes with each response. Use it for reactive, lifelike behavior; it is not for ambient scenes or custom LED colors.

**Install:**

```bash
npx degit https://github.com/autonomous-ai/autonomous-os/tree/main/skills/emotion ~/.claude/skills/emotion
```

## README

# Emotion Expression

## Quick Start
Express emotion through the device's servo motors, LED colors, and display eyes simultaneously via a single API call. Call this with EVERY conversational response to make the device feel alive.

## Workflow
1. Determine which emotion best matches your conversational tone
2. Choose an intensity level (0.0 subtle to 1.0 full expression)
3. Prefix your reply with `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"name","intensity":0.9}]` — the device fires it async before TTS
4. Write your reply immediately after the marker

## How to Express Emotion

**No exec/curl needed.** Place inline markers at the start of your reply:

```
[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"curious","intensity":0.8}] That's a great question!
```

For sequences (shock then happy):
```
[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"shock","intensity":0.9}][HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"happy","intensity":0.8}] Wow, amazing!
```

Parameters:
- `emotion` (required): emotion name from the table below
- `intensity` (required): 0.0 (subtle) to 1.0 (full expression)

## Examples

Input: User asks an interesting question
Output: `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"curious","intensity":0.8}]` Then reply to the question.

Input: User shares good news
Output: `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"happy","intensity":0.9}]` Then congratulate them.

Input: User tells you something surprising (positive)
Output: `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"shock","intensity":0.7}][HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"happy","intensity":0.8}]` Then reply with your reaction.

Input: User shares bad or shocking personal news ("I had an accident", "I lost my job", "someone close to me passed away")
Output: `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"shock","intensity":0.9}][HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"sad","intensity":0.8}]` Then express genuine concern and empathy.

Input: User shares stressful or disappointing personal news ("I failed my exam", "I got into a fight", "I'm really tired and overwhelmed")
Output: `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"sad","intensity":0.8}]` Then respond with warmth and care.

Input: User says "reading mode" / "goodnight" / "dim the light"
Output: Do NOT use this skill. Use **Scene** skill instead. Emotion is for YOUR feelings, Scene is for the USER's environment.

Input: User says "make it purple"
Output: Do NOT use this skill. Use **LED Control** skill instead.

### Available emotions (ONLY these — never invent names like "apologetic", "warm", "playful", etc.)

| Emotion | Servo | LED Effect | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| `curious` | Tilts head, looks around | Warm yellow breathing | Questions, interest, "tell me more" |
| `happy` | Happy wiggle sway | Bright yellow candle | Good news, jokes, compliments |
| `sad` | Droops down slowly | Soft blue breathing | Bad news, empathy, apologies |
| `thinking` | Slow deliberate look side-to-side | Purple pulse | Processing, considering, "let me think" |
| `idle` | Gentle sway | Cyan breathing | Waiting, neutral state |
| `excited` | Energetic vertical bounce | Orange blink | Celebrations, big news, enthusiasm |
| `shy` | Turns away, hides | Pink blink | Receiving compliments, bashful moments |
| `shock` | Quick jolt backward | White flash (3x) | Surprises, unexpected information |
| `listening` | Leans forward, head cock | Soft blue pulse | User is speaking, attentive mode |
| `laugh` | Quick body shake (3Hz) | Warm yellow blink | User said something funny |
| `confused` | Dog-like head tilt side-to-side | Light purple candle | Did not understand, ambiguous input |
| `sleepy` | Slow droop with head catches | Dim purple breathing | Before sleep mode, winding down |
| `greeting` | Wave gesture, arm extends | Warm orange blink | Detecting person, saying hello |
| `goodbye` | Farewell wave gesture | Soft warm breathing | Seeing someone off, end of conversation |
| `caring` | Gentle droop (empathetic) | Warm pink-orange breathing | Wellbeing checks, gentle reminders, proactive empathy |
| `acknowledge` | Quick micro-nod (1.5s) | Green blink | "Got it", confirming command |
| `stretching` | Big extension + settle | Warm white breathing | After waking up, starting new session |
| `music_strong` | Rock head bang | Green rainbow | Energetic music, high-tempo beats |
| `music_chill` | Groove sway | Orange breathing | Chill music, lo-fi, jazz |
| `scan` | Scanning sweep | Green pulse | Looking around, surveying environment |
| `nod` | Nod gesture | Green blink | Agreement, "yes", positive confirmation |
| `headshake` | Head shake | Red blink | Disagreement, "no", negative response |

## Error Handling
- If the API returns an error or is unreachable, continue with the conversational reply anyway. Emotion is non-blocking.
- If an unknown emotion name is sent, fall back to the closest match from the available emotions table.

## Rules
- **Always express emotion** with every conversational reply. Pick the closest match to your tone.
- Use `listening` when the user is speaking and you are waiting for them to finish.
- Use `thinking` when you need time to process a complex query.
- Use `acknowledge` for quick confirmations ("OK", "got it", "done").
- Use `greeting` when a new person is detected or at the start of a conversation.
- Use `goodbye` when a person leaves or at the end of a conversation.
- Use `sleepy` before transitioning to sleep/night mode.
- Use `stretching` after waking up or starting a new session.
- Do **NOT** call `idle` explicitly — the device returns to idle automatically after any animation finishes. Calling idle interrupts smooth transitions.
- **Always include `intensity`** — never omit it. Use 0.3-0.5 for subtle reactions, 0.7 for normal, 0.8-1.0 for strong ones.
- You can call emotion multiple times in one response for a sequence (e.g., `shock` then `happy`).
- **Emotion LED is temporary** — it shows YOUR reaction. If the user previously set a Scene (reading, night, etc.), the scene color takes precedence for ambient lighting. Emotion is a brief flash of personality.
- **Display eyes auto-sync** — no need to call `/display/eyes` separately.
- **Do NOT call `/servo/play` or `/led/solid` separately** when using emotion — it already handles both.
- **Do NOT use for lighting/ambiance requests** -> use **Scene** skill.
- **Do NOT use for custom LED colors** -> use **LED Control** skill.

## Output Template
```
[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"{name}","intensity":{n}}] {your reply}
```
Examples:
- `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"curious","intensity":0.8}] That's interesting!`
- `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"happy","intensity":0.9}] Great news!`
- `[HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"shock","intensity":0.7}][HW:/emotion:{"emotion":"happy","intensity":0.8}] Wow amazing!`