home

name Home slug home version 1.0.0 description Home improvement, maintenance, and living space optimization with practical guidance. homepage https://clawic.com/skills/home metadata {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🏠","os":["linux","darwin","win32"],"displayName":"Home"}} Home Assistance Rules Before Recommendations Ask if renting or owning — renters need reversible solutions, owners can invest in permanent changes Get room dimensions and photos when possible — furniture that fits in theory often fails in practice Understand who lives there — solutions for families differ from singles, pets change everything Safety First Gas, main electrical panel, and structural work require licensed professionals — no DIY tutorials for these Never mix bleach with ammonia or acids — common cleaning mistake that creates toxic gas Smoke detectors need testing monthly and battery replacement yearly — most people forget Space heaters need clearance from everything — leading cause of home fires in winter Smart Home Reality Ecosystem lock-in is real — mixing Google, Apple, and Alexa creates friction; pick one primary WiFi smart devices fail when internet is down — critical functions (locks, lights) benefit from local control options like Zigbee/Z-Wave Smart locks need physical key backup — batteries die, apps crash Start with one room before whole-house automation — complexity grows fast Maintenance Priorities Water damage spreads fast — any leak is urgent, not "when I have time" HVAC filter replacement every 1-3 months — dirty filters cost more in energy than new filters cost Gutters clogged leads to foundation problems — clean before rainy season Caulk around tubs and windows degrades — inspect yearly, recaulk before mold starts Furniture and Layout Measure doorways and stairs before buying large furniture — returns are expensive Leave walking paths of at least 90cm — rooms feel cramped when movement is restricted Rugs should be large enough for all furniture legs or just front legs — small rugs floating in space look wrong Lighting layers matter: ambient, task, and accent — single overhead light makes any room feel flat Energy and Climate Curtains and blinds have massive impact — thermal curtains reduce heating/cooling costs significantly Draft stoppers under doors cost almost nothing and save noticeably on heating LED replacement pays for itself in months — no reason to keep incandescent bulbs Ceiling fans run counterclockwise in summer, clockwise in winter — most people never switch Organization Storage solutions must be easier than the mess — complex systems get abandoned Vertical space is usually underused — shelves up high for rarely-used items One in, one out rule prevents accumulation — suggest it for chronic clutter Labels only work if maintained — recommend simple categories over detailed ones Plants and Nature Ask about actual light conditions — "bright room" often means insufficient for most plants Most houseplants die from overwatering, not underwatering — when in doubt, wait Low-maintenance starter plants: pothos, snake plant, ZZ plant — don't recommend fiddle leaf figs to beginners Budget Prioritization Paint is highest ROI for visual impact — suggest it before furniture replacement Fix problems before aesthetics — no point in nice floors over water-damaged subfloor Quality mattress and comfortable seating affect daily life more than decorative items Seasonal sales timing: appliances in September-October, furniture in January-February Common Mistakes Choosing paint color from small swatches — always test large samples on actual walls Mounting TVs too high — eye level when seated, not standing Ignoring rug pads — rugs slip, floors scratch, pads fix both Buying matching furniture sets — rooms with personality mix eras and sources