diff --git a/checklist.md b/checklist.md
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+# TrueRecall v2 - Installation Checklist
+
+Pre-install and post-install validation steps.
+
+---
+
+## Pre-Installation Checks
+
+### 1. System Requirements
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Python 3.8+ | `python3 --version` | 3.8 or higher |
+| pip available | `pip3 --version` | Working |
+| curl available | `curl --version` | Working |
+| git available | `git --version` | Working |
+
+### 2. Qdrant Verification
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Qdrant running | `curl http://localhost:6333` | Returns version |
+| Collections accessible | `curl http://localhost:6333/collections` | Returns list |
+| Network reachable | `curl http://127.0.0.1:6333` | Same result |
+
+### 3. Ollama Verification
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Ollama running | `curl http://localhost:11434/api/tags` | Returns models |
+| Embedding model | Check in list | snowflake or mxbai |
+| Curator model | Check in list | qwen3:4b or 30b |
+| Network reachable | `curl http://127.0.0.1:11434/api/tags` | Same result |
+
+### 4. OpenClaw Status
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Gateway running | `openclaw gateway status` | Active |
+| Config valid | `openclaw doctor` | No errors |
+| Plugin available | `openclaw plugins list` | memory-qdrant present |
+
+---
+
+## Installation Steps
+
+### Step 1: Choose Mode
+
+| Mode | Description | Use Case |
+|------|-------------|----------|
+| **full** | Watcher + Curator + Gems | Complete TrueRecall v2 |
+| **simple** | Watcher only | Just capture memories |
+
+### Step 2: Full Mode Prompts
+
+| # | Prompt | Default | Validate |
+|---|--------|---------|----------|
+| 1 | Installation mode | `full` | Must be "full" or "simple" |
+| 2 | Embedding model | `mxbai-embed-large` | Model must exist in Ollama |
+| 3 | Timer interval | `5` minutes | 5, 30, 60, or custom |
+| 4 | Batch size | `100` | 50, 100, 500, or custom |
+| 5 | Qdrant URL | `http://localhost:6333` | Must be reachable |
+| 6 | Ollama URL | `http://localhost:11434` | Must be reachable |
+| 7 | Curator LLM | `qwen3:30b-a3b-instruct` | Model must exist in Ollama |
+| 8 | User ID | `rob` | Non-empty string |
+
+### Step 3: Simple Mode Prompts
+
+| # | Prompt | Default | Validate |
+|---|--------|---------|----------|
+| 1 | Installation mode | `full` | Must be "simple" |
+| 2 | Embedding model | `snowflake-arctic-embed2` | Model must exist in Ollama |
+| 3 | Qdrant URL | `http://localhost:6333` | Must be reachable |
+| 4 | User ID | `rob` | Non-empty string |
+
+---
+
+## Post-Installation Validation
+
+### 1. Config Files Created
+
+| File | Location | Check |
+|------|----------|-------|
+| `curator_config.json` | `tr-continuous/` | Contains all settings |
+| `curator_timer.py` | `tr-continuous/` | Executable, no syntax errors |
+| `mem-qdrant-watcher.service` | systemd path | Loaded and enabled |
+
+### 2. Watcher Service
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Service installed | `systemctl status mem-qdrant-watcher` | Loaded |
+| Service running | `systemctl is-active mem-qdrant-watcher` | `active` |
+| Logs available | `sudo journalctl -u mem-qdrant-watcher -n 5` | Recent entries |
+
+### 3. Cron Job (Full Mode Only)
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Cron entry exists | `crontab -l \| grep true-recall` | Entry present |
+| Syntax valid | Visual check | No errors |
+| Timer matches | Compare to config | Same interval |
+
+### 4. Collections Created
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| memories_tr exists | `curl http://localhost:6333/collections/memories_tr` | 200 OK |
+| gems_tr exists (full) | `curl http://localhost:6333/collections/gems_tr` | 200 OK |
+| Can write | Test point insertion | Success |
+| Can read | Test point query | Success |
+
+### 5. First Run (Full Mode)
+
+| Check | Command | Expected Result |
+|-------|---------|---------------|
+| Curator runs | Wait for first cron | Log entry created |
+| Log file exists | `ls /var/log/true-recall-timer.log` | File present |
+| Gems extracted | Check `gems_tr` count | Increased from 0 |
+| Memories tagged | Query with `curated: false` | All have field |
+
+### 6. Injection Test
+
+| Check | Method | Expected Result |
+|-------|--------|-----------------|
+| Plugin loads | `openclaw plugins list` | memory-qdrant active |
+| Recall works | Send test message | Gems injected in context |
+| Capture works | Check `memories_tr` | New point added |
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Common Issues
+
+| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
+|---------|--------------|-----|
+| Qdrant unreachable | Not running | `sudo systemctl start qdrant` |
+| Ollama unreachable | Not running | `ollama serve` |
+| Model not found | Not pulled | `ollama pull mxbai-embed-large` |
+| Permission denied | Wrong user | Run with `sudo` or check ownership |
+| Cron not running | Service stopped | `sudo systemctl start cron` |
+| Watcher not capturing | Session path wrong | Check `session.jsonl` location |
+
+---
+
+## Validation Commands Quick Reference
+
+```bash
+# Check all services
+openclaw status && curl -s http://localhost:6333 && curl -s http://localhost:11434/api/tags
+
+# Check collections
+curl -s http://localhost:6333/collections/memories_tr | jq .result.points_count
+curl -s http://localhost:6333/collections/gems_tr | jq .result.points_count
+
+# Check watcher
+sudo systemctl status mem-qdrant-watcher
+
+# Check cron
+crontab -l | grep true-recall
+
+# Check logs
+tail -f /var/log/true-recall-timer.log
+sudo journalctl -u mem-qdrant-watcher -f
+```
+
+---
+
+## Sign-off
+
+| Check | Status | Date |
+|-------|--------|------|
+| Pre-install checks passed | ⏳ | |
+| Installation completed | ⏳ | |
+| Post-install validation passed | ⏳ | |
+| First curator run successful | ⏳ | |
+| Injection test passed | ⏳ | |
+
+**Installer:** _______________  
+**Date:** _______________
diff --git a/install.py b/install.py
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+++ b/install.py
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+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+TrueRecall v2 - Interactive Install Script
+
+Prompts for configuration and sets up the system.
+Simple inline format with go-back navigation.
+"""
+
+import json
+import os
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+# Configuration state
+config = {
+    "mode": None,
+    "embedding_model": "mxbai-embed-large",
+    "timer_minutes": 5,
+    "batch_size": 100,
+    "qdrant_url": "http://localhost:6333",
+    "ollama_url": "http://localhost:11434",
+    "curator_model": "qwen3:30b-a3b-instruct",
+    "user_id": "rob",
+    "source_collection": "memories_tr",
+    "target_collection": "gems_tr"
+}
+
+# Track position for go-back
+history = []
+
+def prompt_inline(question, options, default_key, allow_custom=False):
+    """
+    Show inline prompt with 0. go back option.
+    
+    options: dict like {"1": ("value", "description"), ...}
+    Returns: (value, go_back_flag)
+    """
+    print(f"\n{question} [{default_key}]")
+    print("  0. go back          (return to previous question)")
+    for key, (value, desc) in options.items():
+        marker = " [default]" if key == default_key else ""
+        print(f"  {key}. {value:<25} ({desc}){marker}")
+    if allow_custom:
+        print(f"  {len(options)+1}. custom               (enter your own value)")
+    
+    while True:
+        choice = input(f"\nSelect [0-{len(options) + (1 if allow_custom else 0)} or type name]: ").strip()
+        
+        # Go back
+        if choice == "0":
+            return None, True
+        
+        # Empty = default
+        if choice == "":
+            return options[default_key][0], False
+        
+        # Number selection
+        if choice in options:
+            return options[choice][0], False
+        
+        # Custom
+        if allow_custom and choice == str(len(options) + 1):
+            custom = input("Enter custom value: ").strip()
+            return custom if custom else options[default_key][0], False
+        
+        # Direct name entry
+        for key, (value, desc) in options.items():
+            if choice.lower() == value.lower():
+                return value, False
+        
+        print("Invalid choice. Try again.")
+
+def prompt_custom(question, default):
+    """Prompt for custom text input with go-back option."""
+    print(f"\n{question}")
+    print("  0. go back          (return to previous question)")
+    print(f"  1. use default      ({default})")
+    print("  2. custom           (enter your own value)")
+    
+    while True:
+        choice = input("\nSelect [0-2]: ").strip()
+        
+        if choice == "0":
+            return None, True
+        if choice == "1" or choice == "":
+            return default, False
+        if choice == "2":
+            custom = input("Enter value: ").strip()
+            return custom if custom else default, False
+        
+        print("Invalid choice. Try again.")
+
+def install_full():
+    """Full installation prompts."""
+    prompts = [
+        # (key, question, options, default_key, allow_custom)
+        ("embedding_model", "Embedding model", {
+            "1": ("snowflake-arctic-embed2", "fast, MTEB ~60, high-volume"),
+            "2": ("mxbai-embed-large", "accurate, MTEB 66.5, recommended")
+        }, "2", True),
+        
+        ("timer_minutes", "Timer interval", {
+            "1": ("5", "minutes, fast backlog clearing"),
+            "2": ("30", "minutes, balanced, recommended"),
+            "3": ("60", "minutes, minimal overhead")
+        }, "2", True),
+        
+        ("batch_size", "Batch size", {
+            "1": ("50", "conservative, less memory"),
+            "2": ("100", "balanced, recommended"),
+            "3": ("500", "aggressive, faster backlog")
+        }, "2", True),
+        
+        ("qdrant_url", "Qdrant URL", {
+            "1": ("http://localhost:6333", "localhost hostname"),
+            "2": ("http://127.0.0.1:6333", "localhost IP")
+        }, "1", True),
+        
+        ("ollama_url", "Ollama URL", {
+            "1": ("http://localhost:11434", "localhost hostname"),
+            "2": ("http://127.0.0.1:11434", "localhost IP")
+        }, "1", True),
+        
+        ("curator_model", "Curator LLM", {
+            "1": ("qwen3:4b-instruct", "fast ~10s, basic quality"),
+            "2": ("qwen3:30b-a3b-instruct", "quality ~3s, recommended"),
+            "3": ("qwen3:30b-a3b-instruct-2507-q8_0", "quality, specific version")
+        }, "2", True),
+        
+        ("user_id", "User ID", {
+            "1": ("rob", "default")
+        }, "1", True),
+    ]
+    
+    idx = 0
+    while idx < len(prompts):
+        key, question, options, default_key, allow_custom = prompts[idx]
+        
+        if key in ["qdrant_url", "ollama_url", "user_id"] and allow_custom:
+            # These use custom prompt
+            value, go_back = prompt_custom(question, options[default_key][0])
+        else:
+            value, go_back = prompt_inline(question, options, default_key, allow_custom)
+        
+        if go_back and idx > 0:
+            idx -= 1
+            continue
+        if go_back and idx == 0:
+            return False  # Go back to mode selection
+        
+        config[key] = value
+        idx += 1
+    
+    return True
+
+def install_simple():
+    """Simple installation prompts (watcher only)."""
+    prompts = [
+        ("embedding_model", "Embedding model", {
+            "1": ("snowflake-arctic-embed2", "fast, MTEB ~60, high-volume"),
+            "2": ("mxbai-embed-large", "accurate, MTEB 66.5, recommended")
+        }, "1", True),
+        
+        ("qdrant_url", "Qdrant URL", {
+            "1": ("http://localhost:6333", "localhost hostname"),
+            "2": ("http://127.0.0.1:6333", "localhost IP")
+        }, "1", True),
+        
+        ("user_id", "User ID", {
+            "1": ("rob", "default")
+        }, "1", True),
+    ]
+    
+    idx = 0
+    while idx < len(prompts):
+        key, question, options, default_key, allow_custom = prompts[idx]
+        
+        if allow_custom:
+            value, go_back = prompt_custom(question, options[default_key][0])
+        else:
+            value, go_back = prompt_inline(question, options, default_key, allow_custom)
+        
+        if go_back and idx > 0:
+            idx -= 1
+            continue
+        if go_back and idx == 0:
+            return False  # Go back to mode selection
+        
+        config[key] = value
+        idx += 1
+    
+    return True
+
+def write_config():
+    """Write configuration files."""
+    script_dir = Path(__file__).parent
+    config_path = script_dir / "tr-continuous" / "curator_config.json"
+    
+    # Ensure directory exists
+    config_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    
+    output = {
+        "timer_minutes": int(config["timer_minutes"]),
+        "batch_size": int(config["batch_size"]),
+        "user_id": config["user_id"],
+        "source_collection": config["source_collection"],
+        "target_collection": config["target_collection"],
+        "embedding_model": config["embedding_model"],
+        "curator_model": config["curator_model"],
+        "qdrant_url": config["qdrant_url"],
+        "ollama_url": config["ollama_url"]
+    }
+    
+    # Remove curator settings for simple mode
+    if config["mode"] == "simple":
+        output.pop("timer_minutes", None)
+        output.pop("batch_size", None)
+        output.pop("curator_model", None)
+        output.pop("ollama_url", None)
+        output["target_collection"] = None  # No gems in simple mode
+    
+    with open(config_path, 'w') as f:
+        json.dump(output, f, indent=2)
+    
+    return config_path
+
+def show_summary():
+    """Display configuration summary."""
+    print("\n" + "=" * 60)
+    print("Configuration Summary")
+    print("=" * 60)
+    print(f"Mode: {config['mode']}")
+    print(f"Embedding model: {config['embedding_model']}")
+    print(f"Qdrant URL: {config['qdrant_url']}")
+    print(f"User ID: {config['user_id']}")
+    print(f"Source collection: {config['source_collection']}")
+    
+    if config["mode"] == "full":
+        print(f"Timer interval: {config['timer_minutes']} minutes")
+        print(f"Batch size: {config['batch_size']}")
+        print(f"Ollama URL: {config['ollama_url']}")
+        print(f"Curator LLM: {config['curator_model']}")
+        print(f"Target collection: {config['target_collection']}")
+    else:
+        print("Target collection: (none - simple mode)")
+    
+    print("=" * 60)
+
+def main():
+    print("=" * 60)
+    print("TrueRecall v2 - Interactive Installation")
+    print("=" * 60)
+    
+    # Mode selection
+    while True:
+        print("\nSelect installation mode:")
+        print("  0. exit              (cancel installation)")
+        print("  1. full              (watcher + curator + gems)")
+        print("  2. simple            (watcher only - memories)")
+        
+        choice = input("\nSelect [0-2]: ").strip()
+        
+        if choice == "0":
+            print("\nInstallation cancelled.")
+            return
+        if choice == "1":
+            config["mode"] = "full"
+            if install_full():
+                break
+        elif choice == "2":
+            config["mode"] = "simple"
+            if install_simple():
+                break
+        else:
+            print("Invalid choice. Try again.")
+    
+    # Show summary
+    show_summary()
+    
+    # Confirm
+    confirm = input("\nApply this configuration? [Y/n]: ").strip().lower()
+    if confirm and confirm not in ("y", "yes"):
+        print("\nInstallation cancelled.")
+        return
+    
+    # Write config
+    config_path = write_config()
+    print(f"\n✅ Configuration written to: {config_path}")
+    
+    # Next steps
+    print("\n" + "=" * 60)
+    print("Next Steps")
+    print("=" * 60)
+    
+    if config["mode"] == "full":
+        cron_expr = f"*/{config['timer_minutes']} * * * *"
+        print(f"1. Add to crontab:")
+        print(f"   {cron_expr} cd {config_path.parent} && python3 curator_timer.py >> /var/log/true-recall-timer.log 2>&1")
+        print(f"\n2. Start the watcher:")
+        print(f"   sudo systemctl start mem-qdrant-watcher")
+        print(f"   sudo systemctl enable mem-qdrant-watcher")
+    else:
+        print(f"1. Start the watcher:")
+        print(f"   sudo systemctl start mem-qdrant-watcher")
+        print(f"   sudo systemctl enable mem-qdrant-watcher")
+        print(f"\nNote: Simple mode has no curator. Memories are captured only.")
+    
+    print(f"\n3. Check logs:")
+    print(f"   tail -f /var/log/true-recall-timer.log")
+    print(f"   sudo journalctl -u mem-qdrant-watcher -f")
+    
+    print(f"\n4. Run validation:")
+    print(f"   cat checklist.md")
+    
+    print("\n✅ Installation complete!")
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()