plan generator: per-week diet/vibe preference + preset chips

The killer-feature one Cobb wanted on /plan — a free-form textarea
above the generate button so the household can bias the week's plan
toward "high protein low carb" / "carb load" / "light recovery" /
etc. Plus 8 preset chips that one-click-fill the textarea with common
templates.

Schema:
- Migration 023 adds preference_prompt VARCHAR(1000) to
  cauldron_meal_plans (idempotent ALTER ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS)
- Persisted per-week, per-household. Survives re-rolls so the same
  preference applies unless explicitly changed.

Forge:
- generate_plan accepts optional preference kwarg
- _build_plan_prompt splices in HOUSEHOLD PREFERENCE block when set:
  "BIAS your AI-chosen slots toward recipes from the pool that match
  it... preference does NOT override picks — every pick still appears.
  It DOES change which other recipes you choose to fill the rest."
- Examples in the prompt cover diet, occasion, shopping constraints,
  vibe categories so Sonnet has full coverage of what users might mean.

Server:
- POST /api/plan/generate accepts {preference: "..."} body, persists
  to plan row before kicking off Sonnet
- POST /api/plan/regenerate (re-roll): if body has preference, persist
  + use it; else reuse the persisted preference. Lets re-rolls iterate
  on the same vibe.

UI (/plan):
- Textarea visible when no slots yet, with maxlength=1000 and a
  placeholder showing example prompts
- 8 preset chips: 🥩 high protein / 🍞 carb load / 🥗 light & lean /
  🌱 vegetarian / 🍲 comfort food / ⚡ quick / 💧 recovery / 🌍 global —
  click fills the textarea with a curated phrase Cobb can edit
- After generation: read-only "vibe this week:" callout above the
  action buttons so the household can see what was used
- Locked plan also shows the preference (audit / nostalgia)
- Generate + re-roll JS now sends JSON body with preference

Cost: ~30 extra tokens in the prompt when preference is set, ~0 when
unset. No additional Sonnet calls.

cauldron/db.py

@@ -399,6 +399,15 @@ MIGRATIONS = [
         FOREIGN KEY (job_id) REFERENCES cauldron_recipe_dedupe_jobs(id) ON DELETE CASCADE
     ) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4
     """,
+    # 023 — Per-week diet/vibe preference on the plan generator. Free-form
+    # text the user types before generating ("high protein low carb",
+    # "carb load this week", "light recovery, no fish") that biases
+    # Sonnet's slot picks. Picks still take precedence — preference only
+    # influences AI-chosen slots when the pool is bigger than picks.
+    """
+    ALTER TABLE cauldron_meal_plans
+      ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS preference_prompt VARCHAR(1000)
+    """,
 ]
 
 
@@ -595,6 +604,17 @@ class DB:
             )
             return dict(cur.fetchone())
 
+    def set_plan_preference(self, plan_id: int, preference: str | None) -> None:
+        """Persist the per-week diet/vibe preference. Empty/whitespace-only
+        strings are stored as NULL so the prompt only includes the section
+        when the user actually filled it in."""
+        clean = (preference or "").strip()[:1000] or None
+        with self.conn() as c, c.cursor() as cur:
+            cur.execute(
+                "UPDATE cauldron_meal_plans SET preference_prompt=%s WHERE id=%s",
+                (clean, plan_id),
+            )
+
     def lock_plan(self, plan_id: int, *, sub: str, reason: str = "user") -> dict:
         """Lock a plan if not already locked. Returns updated plan dict."""
         with self.conn() as c, c.cursor() as cur:

cauldron/forge.py

@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ class Forge:
         recipes: list[dict],
         slots: int = 7,
         week_start: str,
+        preference: str | None = None,
         model: str | None = None,
     ) -> list[dict]:
         """Ask Sonnet for a {slots}-day plan. Returns a list of slot dicts
@@ -109,6 +110,7 @@ class Forge:
 
         prompt = self._build_plan_prompt(
             picks=picks, recipes=recipes, slots=slots, week_start=week_start,
+            preference=preference,
         )
         result = self.run(prompt, model=model or "sonnet")
         parsed = _extract_plan_slots(result)
@@ -161,7 +163,7 @@ class Forge:
         return out
 
     @staticmethod
-    def _build_plan_prompt(*, picks, recipes, slots, week_start) -> str:
+    def _build_plan_prompt(*, picks, recipes, slots, week_start, preference=None) -> str:
         pool_lines = []
         for r in recipes:
             slug = r.get("slug") or ""
@@ -194,13 +196,29 @@ class Forge:
         picks_block = "\n".join(pick_lines) if pick_lines else "(none)"
         pool_block = "\n".join(pool_lines)
 
+        pref_clean = (preference or "").strip()
+        pref_block = ""
+        if pref_clean:
+            pref_block = (
+                f"\nHOUSEHOLD PREFERENCE FOR THIS WEEK:\n  \"{pref_clean}\"\n\n"
+                "When the preference is set, BIAS your AI-chosen slots toward "
+                "recipes from the pool that match it. The preference may describe "
+                "diet (\"high protein, low carb\"), occasion (\"light meals, "
+                "recovery week\"), shopping constraints (\"no fish, out of "
+                "season\"), or vibe (\"carb load, training hard\"). The "
+                "preference does NOT override picks — every pick still appears. "
+                "It DOES change which other recipes from the pool you choose to "
+                "fill the remaining slots.\n"
+            )
+
         return (
             f"You are a family meal planner. Build a {slots}-day dinner plan "
             f"for the week of {week_start}.\n\n"
             f"POOL (all available recipes):\n{pool_block}\n\n"
             f"PICKS (recipes the family pre-selected — every pick MUST appear "
             f"if pool size >= {slots}; no repeats unless pool < {slots}):\n"
-            f"{picks_block}\n\n"
+            f"{picks_block}\n"
+            f"{pref_block}"
             "Output JSON ONLY, no prose: "
             '{"slots": [{"day": "monday", "recipe_slug": "...", '
             '"picker_subs": [...] or [], "reason": "..."}, ...]}\n\n'
@@ -208,7 +226,8 @@ class Forge:
             f"- Use exactly {slots} recipes\n"
             "- Distribute picks evenly across the week — don't bunch them\n"
             "- \"reason\" is a one-line user-facing rationale "
-            "(e.g., \"balances heavy and light meals\", \"honors abby's pick\")\n"
+            "(e.g., \"balances heavy and light meals\", \"honors abby's pick\", "
+            "\"high-protein lean — pairs with the gym week\")\n"
             "- \"picker_subs\" is the array of authentik_sub strings of family "
             "members who picked this recipe (empty list if AI-chosen)\n"
             "- Day order: monday..sunday\n"

cauldron/server.py

@@ -653,6 +653,15 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
                 "plan": _plan_payload(plan),
             }), 409
 
+        # Persist the per-week preference (free-form: "high protein low
+        # carb", "carb load this week", etc.) before kicking off Sonnet
+        # so a re-roll uses the same preference unless explicitly changed.
+        body = request.get_json(silent=True) or {}
+        preference = (body.get("preference") or "").strip()
+        if preference:
+            db.set_plan_preference(plan["id"], preference)
+            plan["preference_prompt"] = preference[:1000]
+
         # Pull picks (with picker_subs) + recipe pool (slug+name+tags only)
         picks = db.list_household_picks_with_pickers(hid)
         rows = db.list_indexed_recipes(hid, limit=2000, offset=0)
@@ -676,6 +685,7 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
             slots = forge.generate_plan(
                 picks=picks, recipes=recipes,
                 slots=7, week_start=this_monday.isoformat(),
+                preference=plan.get("preference_prompt"),
             )
         except ForgeError as e:
             return jsonify({"error": "forge_failed", "detail": str(e)}), 502
@@ -719,6 +729,14 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
         db.delete_plan_slots(plan["id"])
         db.clear_plan_generated(plan["id"])
 
+        # Re-roll honors preference: if the body sets one, persist + use.
+        # Otherwise reuse the persisted preference from the prior generate.
+        body = request.get_json(silent=True) or {}
+        preference = (body.get("preference") or "").strip()
+        if preference:
+            db.set_plan_preference(plan["id"], preference)
+            plan["preference_prompt"] = preference[:1000]
+
         # Now fall through to the same logic as generate
         picks = db.list_household_picks_with_pickers(hid)
         rows = db.list_indexed_recipes(hid, limit=2000, offset=0)
@@ -742,6 +760,7 @@ def create_app() -> Flask:
             slots = forge.generate_plan(
                 picks=picks, recipes=recipes,
                 slots=7, week_start=this_monday.isoformat(),
+                preference=plan.get("preference_prompt"),
             )
         except ForgeError as e:
             return jsonify({"error": "forge_failed", "detail": str(e)}), 502

cauldron/templates/plan.html

@@ -77,6 +77,68 @@
     font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: .15em; text-transform: uppercase;
     margin-top: 4px;
   }
+
+  .pref-block {
+    margin: 14px 0;
+    padding: 14px;
+    background: var(--bg-2);
+    border: 1px solid var(--line);
+    border-radius: 8px;
+  }
+  .pref-label {
+    display: block;
+    color: var(--purple); font-family: var(--mono);
+    font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: .2em; text-transform: uppercase;
+    margin-bottom: 6px;
+  }
+  .pref-input {
+    width: 100%;
+    padding: 10px 12px;
+    background: var(--surface);
+    color: var(--bone);
+    border: 1px solid var(--line);
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    font-family: var(--sans); font-size: .95em;
+    line-height: 1.4;
+    resize: vertical;
+    min-height: 56px;
+  }
+  .pref-input:focus { outline: none; border-color: var(--purple-bright); }
+  .pref-presets {
+    display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 6px;
+    margin-top: 10px;
+  }
+  .pref-chip {
+    padding: 6px 12px;
+    background: var(--bg);
+    color: var(--bone-dim);
+    border: 1px solid var(--line);
+    border-radius: 999px;
+    font-family: var(--sans); font-size: .85em;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    min-height: 32px;
+    transition: all .12s ease;
+  }
+  .pref-chip:hover {
+    background: var(--purple-deep);
+    border-color: var(--purple-dim);
+    color: var(--bone);
+  }
+  .pref-chip:active { transform: scale(.97); }
+
+  .pref-readout {
+    color: var(--bone-dim);
+    font-family: var(--serif);
+    font-size: .95em;
+    margin: 8px 0;
+    padding: 8px 12px;
+    border-left: 2px solid var(--purple-dim);
+    background: rgba(45, 29, 74, .15);
+  }
+  .pref-readout em {
+    color: var(--bone);
+    font-style: italic;
+  }
 </style>
 
 <div class="page-head">
@@ -115,12 +177,34 @@
 
   {% if plan.locked_at %}
     <p>this week's plan is locked. it'll archive Sunday night and a fresh week opens Monday.</p>
+    {% if plan.preference_prompt %}
+      <div class="pref-readout">vibe this week: <em>"{{ plan.preference_prompt }}"</em></div>
+    {% endif %}
   {% elif not plan.slots %}
     <p>no plan yet. summon claude to build one from the {{ pick_count }} pinned pick{{ '' if pick_count == 1 else 's' }} + the rest of the grimoire.</p>
+
+    <div class="pref-block">
+      <label class="pref-label" for="pref-input">this week's vibe (optional)</label>
+      <textarea id="pref-input" class="pref-input" rows="2" maxlength="1000" placeholder="e.g. high protein low carb · carb load · light recovery week · no fish · vegetarian-leaning · spicy comfort food">{{ plan.preference_prompt or '' }}</textarea>
+      <div class="pref-presets">
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('high protein, low carb — lean and gym-friendly')">🥩 high protein</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('carb load this week, training hard')">🍞 carb load</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('light and lean, simple weeknight meals')">🥗 light &amp; lean</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('vegetarian-leaning, more produce-forward')">🌱 vegetarian</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('comfort food week, hearty and warming')">🍲 comfort food</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('quick and easy — 30 minutes or less per meal')">⚡ quick</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('recovery week — gentle, easily digestible meals')">💧 recovery</button>
+        <button type="button" class="pref-chip" onclick="setPref('global flavors — bias toward varied cuisines this week')">🌍 global</button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
     <button class="gen-cta" type="button" id="gen-btn" onclick="generatePlan(this)">🪄 generate this week's plan</button>
     <div class="gen-meta" id="gen-meta">sonnet · ~30s</div>
   {% else %}
     <p>plan's set.</p>
+    {% if plan.preference_prompt %}
+      <div class="pref-readout">vibe this week: <em>"{{ plan.preference_prompt }}"</em></div>
+    {% endif %}
     <div class="btn-row">
       <button class="btn btn-purple" type="button" onclick="lockPlan(this)">🔒 lock this week</button>
       {% if plan.generated_by_sub == current_user_sub %}
@@ -168,13 +252,27 @@ async function lockPlan(btn) {
   }
 }
 
+function setPref(text) {
+  const el = document.getElementById('pref-input');
+  if (el) { el.value = text; el.focus(); }
+}
+
+function readPref() {
+  const el = document.getElementById('pref-input');
+  return el ? el.value.trim() : '';
+}
+
 async function generatePlan(btn) {
   btn.disabled = true;
   btn.innerHTML = '🪄 summoning…';
   const meta = document.getElementById('gen-meta');
   if (meta) meta.textContent = 'sonnet building plan — hold tight';
   try {
-    const r = await fetch('/api/plan/generate', { method: 'POST' });
+    const r = await fetch('/api/plan/generate', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ preference: readPref() }),
+    });
     if (r.status === 409) {
       // Someone beat us to it — just reload to see their plan
       location.reload();
@@ -193,10 +291,16 @@ async function generatePlan(btn) {
 }
 
 async function rerollPlan(btn) {
+  // Re-roll keeps the prior preference unless the user opens the
+  // textarea (only visible pre-generate). For now just reuse persisted.
   if (!confirm('re-roll the week? slots will be replaced.')) return;
   btn.disabled = true; btn.textContent = '…';
   try {
-    const r = await fetch('/api/plan/regenerate', { method: 'POST' });
+    const r = await fetch('/api/plan/regenerate', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({}),  // empty body = reuse persisted preference
+    });
     if (!r.ok) {
       const data = await r.json().catch(() => ({}));
       throw new Error(data.detail || data.error || r.status);