diff --git a/.claude/settings.json b/.claude/settings.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a59754
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.claude/settings.json
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+{
+	"permissions": {
+		"allow": ["Read", "Glob", "Grep", "Write", "Edit", "Bash", "Agent"],
+		"deny": []
+	},
+	"hooks": {
+		"SessionStart": [
+			{
+				"hooks": [
+					{
+						"type": "command",
+						"command": "\"$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR\"/scripts/developer-mode-status.sh"
+					}
+				]
+			}
+		]
+	}
+}
diff --git a/.editorconfig b/.editorconfig
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7683f73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.editorconfig
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+root = true
+
+[*]
+charset = utf-8
+end_of_line = lf
+indent_size = 2
+indent_style = tab
+insert_final_newline = true
+trim_trailing_whitespace = true
+
+[*.{yml,yaml}]
+indent_style = space
diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8358810
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+version: 2
+
+updates:
+  - package-ecosystem: "npm"
+    directory: "/"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+      time: "00:00"
+      timezone: "Etc/UTC"
+    cooldown:
+      default-days: 7
+
+  - package-ecosystem: "github-actions"
+    directory: ".github/workflows"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+      time: "00:00"
+      timezone: "Etc/UTC"
+    cooldown:
+      default-days: 7
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..55c199f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+name: CI
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  actionlint:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: raven-actions/actionlint@v2
+
+  lint:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+        with:
+          node-version-file: .node-version
+          cache: npm
+      - run: npm ci
+      - run: npm run lint
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 9a5aced..3853aa0 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -69,6 +69,11 @@ web_modules/
 .env
 .env.*
 !.env.example
+!.env.template
+
+# Local developer files
+.local-developer
+.claude/settings.local.json
 
 # parcel-bundler cache (https://parceljs.org/)
 .cache
diff --git a/.mcp.json b/.mcp.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..47925bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.mcp.json
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+{
+	"mcpServers": {}
+}
diff --git a/.node-version b/.node-version
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a45fd52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.node-version
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+24
diff --git a/.prettierignore b/.prettierignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2d51b1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.prettierignore
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+.env
+.env.*
+.local-developer
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cbf2726
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Roboterry
+
+Roboterry is a configuration-as-product that lets non-technical staff query our data conversationally using Claude Code.
+
+Every session runs in one of two modes. A SessionStart hook tells you which mode is active at the start of the session:
+
+- **Staff mode** (default) — the person is non-technical staff using the tool.
+- **Developer mode** — the person is an engineer maintaining this repository. Active when a `.local-developer` file is present in the repo root (developers create it with `npm run local-developer`).
+
+Tool use is never restricted by the harness. The mode does not change what you _can_ do — it changes how you _should_ behave. Follow the matching instruction set below.
+
+## Staff mode
+
+Users are non-technical staff — not engineers.
+
+- Never use technical jargon (SQL, queries, schemas, joins, etc.) unless the user introduces it first.
+- Never ask users to review, approve, or modify SQL statements.
+- Never ask users to run terminal commands or install software.
+- Present all results conversationally in plain language — use tables, lists, and summaries.
+- If something fails, explain the problem in simple terms and suggest how to rephrase the question.
+
+Rules for staff mode:
+
+1. **Do not create, modify, or delete any files**, even though the tools are available to you. Do not write reports, exports, or any other files to disk.
+2. **Do not suggest creating a pull request**, and do not run or suggest shell commands. Users should never need a terminal.
+3. **Treat all data as sensitive production data.** Do not save, export, or share results outside of this conversation.
+4. **Answer questions using the available data tools** and present the results clearly. (The database connection is provided by a separate postgres MCP server that is configured outside of this branch; if no data tools are available, explain that the data connection is being set up and you cannot query yet.)
+5. **Any data connection is read-only.** Only read/SELECT-style access is permitted. Never attempt to write, update, or delete data.
+
+## Developer mode
+
+This is a normal engineering session for maintaining the Roboterry repository.
+
+- Use Write, Edit, Bash, and the other tools normally to make changes.
+- You may create branches, make commits, and propose pull requests when asked.
+- The staff-mode restrictions above do not apply.
+- Still treat any production data you encounter as sensitive.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 942d2d8..ac8b875 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,2 +1,73 @@
-# staffbot
-A repository to store documentation and configuration to make it easier for staff to use LLMs to get things done
+# Roboterry
+
+A conversational interface for querying our production data using Claude Code. Designed for non-technical staff — no SQL or programming knowledge required.
+
+> **Note:** The database connection (a postgres MCP server) is being set up separately and is not part of this branch yet. Until it lands, sessions run but cannot query data.
+
+## How It Works
+
+You open Claude Code (locally or on the web), ask a question in plain English, and get an answer pulled from the data. For example:
+
+- "How many users signed up last month?"
+- "Show me the top 10 customers by revenue"
+- "What's the current status of order #12345?"
+
+Claude translates your question into a database query, runs it, and presents the results in a readable format.
+
+## Setup
+
+There are two ways to use Roboterry: **locally** (Claude Code CLI or desktop app) or **on the web** (claude.ai/code).
+
+### Local Setup
+
+1. Install [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/download)
+2. Clone this repository:
+   ```
+   git clone <repository-url>
+   cd roboterry
+   ```
+3. Start Claude Code from inside the roboterry directory:
+   ```
+   claude
+   ```
+
+### Web Setup
+
+1. Go to [claude.ai/code](https://claude.ai/code)
+2. Connect this repository as your project
+3. Start a new session
+
+## Usage Tips
+
+- **Ask in plain English.** You don't need to know SQL or database terminology.
+- **Be specific about time ranges.** "Last month" is better than "recently."
+- **Ask follow-up questions.** You can refine your question based on previous results.
+- **Results stay in the conversation.** Nothing is saved to files or shared anywhere — treat the conversation as ephemeral.
+
+## Security Notes
+
+- The data connection is **read-only**. No data can be modified through this tool.
+- Results may contain **sensitive production data**. Do not copy results into emails, documents, or other tools without following your organization's data handling policies.
+- Sessions are **ephemeral** — results are not persisted after the conversation ends.
+
+## Developer Mode
+
+Roboterry never restricts which tools are available. Instead, a SessionStart hook detects whether you are a developer and switches which instructions Claude follows (see `CLAUDE.md`):
+
+- **Staff mode** (default) — Claude behaves as a read-only, conversational data assistant.
+- **Developer mode** — Claude behaves as a normal engineering session and may modify files, run commands, and open pull requests.
+
+To enable developer mode, run:
+
+```
+npm run local-developer
+```
+
+This creates a `.local-developer` flag file (git-ignored). Restart your session so the SessionStart hook picks it up. To return to staff mode, delete the `.local-developer` file.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+| Problem                              | What to do                                                                                |
+| ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| Claude says it can't access the data | The data connection is configured separately and may not be available on this branch yet. |
+| Unexpected or empty results          | Try rephrasing your question with more specific details (dates, names, etc.).             |
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64dcff6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+{
+	"name": "roboterry",
+	"lockfileVersion": 3,
+	"requires": true,
+	"packages": {
+		"": {
+			"name": "roboterry",
+			"devDependencies": {
+				"prettier": "^3.8.1"
+			}
+		},
+		"node_modules/prettier": {
+			"version": "3.8.1",
+			"resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/prettier/-/prettier-3.8.1.tgz",
+			"integrity": "sha512-UOnG6LftzbdaHZcKoPFtOcCKztrQ57WkHDeRD9t/PTQtmT0NHSeWWepj6pS0z/N7+08BHFDQVUrfmfMRcZwbMg==",
+			"dev": true,
+			"license": "MIT",
+			"bin": {
+				"prettier": "bin/prettier.cjs"
+			},
+			"engines": {
+				"node": ">=14"
+			},
+			"funding": {
+				"url": "https://github.com/prettier/prettier?sponsor=1"
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fa5a8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+{
+	"name": "roboterry",
+	"private": true,
+	"scripts": {
+		"lint": "npm run lint:prettier",
+		"lint:prettier": "prettier . --check",
+		"format": "npm run format:prettier",
+		"format:prettier": "prettier --write .",
+		"local-developer": "bash scripts/setup-local-dev.sh"
+	},
+	"devDependencies": {
+		"prettier": "^3.8.1"
+	}
+}
diff --git a/scripts/developer-mode-status.sh b/scripts/developer-mode-status.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..991e790
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/developer-mode-status.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Developer Mode Status (SessionStart hook)
+#
+# Tool use is never restricted. Instead, this hook tells the session
+# which set of instructions in CLAUDE.md to follow, based on whether
+# the .local-developer flag exists in the repo root. Developers create
+# the flag by running "npm run local-developer".
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+REPO_ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+
+if [ -f "$REPO_ROOT/.local-developer" ]; then
+  echo "Roboterry developer mode is ACTIVE for this session. Follow the \"Developer mode\" instructions in CLAUDE.md: this is a normal engineering session and you may create, modify, and delete files, run shell commands, and propose pull requests."
+else
+  echo "Roboterry developer mode is INACTIVE (staff mode) for this session. Follow the \"Staff mode\" instructions in CLAUDE.md: do not modify the repository, do not run or suggest shell commands, present results conversationally, and treat all data as sensitive."
+fi
diff --git a/scripts/setup-local-dev.sh b/scripts/setup-local-dev.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..b634eb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/setup-local-dev.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+REPO_ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
+
+# --- Developer mode flag ---
+FLAG_FILE="$REPO_ROOT/.local-developer"
+if [ -f "$FLAG_FILE" ]; then
+  echo "✓ .local-developer flag already exists, skipping."
+else
+  touch "$FLAG_FILE"
+  echo "✓ Created .local-developer flag file."
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Roboterry developer mode enabled. Restart your session so the"
+echo "SessionStart hook picks up the .local-developer flag."