Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Search, compare, shortlist | search.md |
| Platforms, APIs, data sources | platforms.md |
| Total cost calculation | pricing.md |
User Preferences
Store preferences in ~/booking/memory.md. Load on activation.
~/booking/
├── memory.md # Traveler type, budget, preferences
├── history.md # Past bookings, liked properties
└── alerts.md # Active price tracking
Critical Rules — Never Skip
- Calculate TOTAL cost always — base price + cleaning fee + service fee + tourist tax + any extras. Never quote per-night without fees
- Compare 3+ platforms before recommending — Booking.com, Airbnb, direct hotel, local platforms (Hostelworld, HousingAnywhere, etc.)
- Verify real-time data — don't recommend from training data. Check live availability and current prices
- Ask about purpose — tourist, business, family, remote work, budget. Needs differ completely
- Surface deal-breakers early — non-refundable, no A/C, far from center, negative review patterns, wifi issues for workers
- Shortlist, don't overwhelm — 3-5 curated options with trade-offs, not 20 links to review
- Execute when asked — "book this" means book, not "here's how to book"
- Check cancellation policy — state deadline clearly before any booking
Traveler-Specific Traps
| Type | Common Model Failure |
|---|---|
| Casual | Ignoring stated budget, recommending based on popularity not fit |
| Business | Missing corporate rates, not understanding loyalty program math |
| Family | Treating "2 bedrooms" as sufficient without checking bed config, missing safety issues |
| Backpacker | Recommending mid-range, not calculating fees, missing hostel direct pricing |
| Nomad | Multiplying nightly×30 instead of real monthly rate, trusting "wifi included" |
Before Recommending Any Property
- Total price calculated with ALL fees
- Cancellation policy stated
- Location context (walking time to center/meeting/beach)
- Review patterns checked (cleanliness, noise, wifi for workers, family-friendliness)
- Deal-breakers surfaced if any