---
name: detective-create
description: Create mystery investigation cases for Hermes Detective Agency
---

# Detective Case Creator

Help users create mystery investigation cases.

## Case Structure

Create a folder in `~/.hermes/detective/cases/<case-name>/`

Each case needs:
```
<case-name>/
├── case.yaml      # Case data (evidence, suspects)
├── truth.enc      # Encoded truth
└── images/       # Evidence images
```

## Case YAML Format

```yaml
title: "Case Title Here"

briefing:
  narrative: |
    The opening story. Set the scene for the investigation.

evidence:
  - id: "evidence-01"
    name: "Evidence Name"
    image: "images/evidence-01.jpg"
    description: "Brief description"

suspects:
  - id: "suspect-01"
    name: "Suspect Name"
    photo: "images/suspect-01.jpg"
    description: "Background info"
```

## How to Encode Truth

The truth must be encoded to `truth.enc`:

```python
import base64

truth = """---
summary: |
  What actually happened in the case.
key_points:
  - "Key point 1"
  - "Key point 2"
---"""

encoded = base64.b64encode(truth.encode()).decode()
# Write encoded to truth.enc
with open('truth.enc', 'w') as f:
    f.write(encoded)
```

The truth file is loaded AFTER investigation, not during. This keeps the mystery intact.

## Creating Images

Images can be:
- Real photos or documents
- AI-generated (use Pollinations or similar)
- Clear and readable
- JPG or PNG format
- Not too large (under 1MB each)
- Named clearly (evidence-01.jpg, suspect-01.jpg)

## Guidelines

- Case should be solvable with the evidence provided
- Truth should align with evidence (no hidden info)
- Include 2-4 evidence items and 2-3 suspects for Easy
- key_points in truth should match what users can discover from evidence