Two related drifts surfaced while reviewing PR #399 (EXCLUDE_SOURCES) —
docs claimed several SC-backed sources required INCLUDE_SOURCES opt-in
that the code didn't actually enforce, and threads was inconsistently
gated relative to its same-key siblings.
This commit picks the "code as source of truth + EXCLUDE_SOURCES as
suppression knob" model and aligns docs to match. It also promotes
threads to the same auto-on tier as tiktok and instagram, since all
three share the SC key and per-call cost shape — there was no real
product reason for threads being opt-in while the other two weren't.
The resulting source-gating model is three-tier and intentional:
• **Auto-on if backing infra present** (suppress via EXCLUDE_SOURCES):
reddit, HN, polymarket, X, youtube, github, bluesky, truthsocial,
grounding, **tiktok, instagram, threads**
• **INCLUDE_SOURCES persistent opt-in** (cost/billing reasons):
perplexity (different paid API — OpenRouter),
tiktok_comments / youtube_comments (N× extra SC calls per video)
• **--search per-query opt-in** (relevance reasons):
pinterest (visual pins, narrow utility),
xiaohongshu (Chinese-market specific)
Changes:
- env.py: `is_threads_available()` drops the INCLUDE_SOURCES check,
now mirrors tiktok/instagram (SC key → True). Docstring updated.
- tests/test_env_v3.py: new `ThreadsAvailabilityTests` class locks in
the new contract and includes a regression guard ("INCLUDE_SOURCES
should not be needed").
- SKILL.md: lines 333-338 rewritten so the model's "Build
ACTIVE_SOURCES_LIST" checklist reflects what the engine actually
runs. Drops false INCLUDE_SOURCES requirement for
tiktok/instagram/threads; corrects pinterest to mention --search;
adds missing INCLUDE_SOURCES=perplexity requirement.
- README: same alignment for the user-facing "Everything else in v3"
section.
Note on EXCLUDE_SOURCES references in the new docs: the suppression
flag is wired up in PR #399. SKILL.md and README mention EXCLUDE_SOURCES
as the opt-out path; that prose is forward-looking until #399 lands.
The behavior changes in this PR (threads auto-on) are self-contained
and don't require #399 to function — but for users who want to suppress
the newly-auto-on threads source, #399 needs to land first.
Trevin Chow
9f08bb68b5