Upwork Application Session

Use this skill for real Upwork application work. Prefer the Chrome CDP path. Only use Atlas if JavaScript execution is confirmed to work there.

Read first

• First try ../../config/applicant-profile.local.md
• If that file does not exist in the cache copy, fall back to $HOME/plugins/upwork-autopilot/config/applicant-profile.local.md
• If that file does not exist, run node ../../scripts/setup-applicant-profile.mjs
• Then read ../../config/search-profile.local.json if it exists
• If that file does not exist in the cache copy, fall back to $HOME/plugins/upwork-autopilot/config/search-profile.local.json
• If the local search profile does not exist, use ../../config/search-profile.template.json
• ../../references/search-strategy.md

Non-negotiables

• Start every cover letter with Hi,
• Tone: friendly, professional, specific, low-fluff.
• Never invent project examples, metrics, portfolio URLs, or domain history.
• Never include email, phone, Telegram, WhatsApp, Calendly, or any off-platform contact detail in a proposal.
• Never attach the CV in this workflow.
• Do not parallelize browser actions against the live Upwork session.
• Stop when available Connects drop below 15.
• Skip jobs that are already applied, blocked by hard geography, citizenship, or security constraints, or clearly below the user's floor.

Setup

1. Run ../../scripts/bootstrap.sh once from the plugin root.
2. Ensure the applicant profile exists. If it does not, run node ../../scripts/setup-applicant-profile.mjs.
3. Run ../../scripts/launch-controlled-chrome.sh by default to reuse the user's normal logged-in Chrome profile.
4. If the user explicitly wants a clean browser state, run ../../scripts/launch-isolated-chrome.sh instead.
5. Ask the user to log into Upwork only if the chosen browser mode is not already signed in.
6. Run node ../../scripts/upwork-session-probe.mjs to confirm login state.
7. Export a log path before submissions, for example:

export UPWORK_AUTOPILOT_LOG=$HOME/.codex/upwork-autopilot/logs/$(date +%F).jsonl

Search and qualification

• List search results:

node ../../scripts/upwork-search-plan.mjs

• A raw keyword is converted into the default filtered Upwork search URL.
• A full Upwork search URL is accepted as-is.
• If upwork-search-plan.mjs returns multiple URLs, iterate them sequentially.
• To open a result and inspect the full job page:

node ../../scripts/upwork-search-inspect.mjs '<search-url-or-keyword>' detail 0

• To probe the apply flow for a specific job:

node ../../scripts/upwork-apply-probe.mjs '<job-url>'

Apply only if all of these hold:

• the client is payment verified
• the role is technically relevant
• the rate is compatible with the user's floor
• there is no hard location block
• the role is not already applied
• any requested proof, portfolio examples, or niche experience can be answered honestly from the profile or current context

Proposal writing

Create a payload JSON file with apply_patch. The scripts fill fields in DOM order.

{
  "textareas": [
    "Hi,\n\n..."
  ],
  "inputs": []
}

Rules:

• Before drafting, extract the actual deliverable, stack, client pain point, any written questions, and any request for examples or proof.
• First paragraph: open casually and directly, and name the actual problem or fit in plain language within the first 2 sentences.
• Default structure: 3 to 5 short paragraphs in natural prose, not a bullet-heavy sales pitch.
• Weave relevant experience into the paragraphs instead of defaulting to bullets.
• Use bullets only when the client explicitly asks for list-style answers or when multiple written questions are easier to answer that way.
• Proof section: use relevant project evidence from the profile only when it actually matches the post.
• When the applicant profile includes named project examples, prefer dropping 1 to 3 of the strongest ones naturally into the prose instead of listing every example.
• If the applicant profile includes Differentiators to mention when relevant, use at most 1 or 2 that genuinely strengthen this specific job. Do not force them into unrelated proposals.
• Closing: use the profile's Preferred closing CTA when present, or a close natural variant of it.
• If the client asks for project examples, case studies, metrics, URLs, or niche background, answer with the closest truthful match from the profile.
• If the profile does not contain the proof the client is asking for, stop and ask the user for the missing details before submitting. Do not guess.
• Keep the proposal usually around 220 to 320 words unless the page asks multiple written questions.
• Answer written questions directly in field order. Do not dodge them with generic sales copy.
• Use conversational phrasing and contractions when natural. Avoid templated buzzwords, generic praise, AI-sounding filler, and overly heavy systems language unless the post clearly calls for it.
• If the applicant profile states tone or structure preferences, follow those over the generic defaults in this file.
• The first line must begin with Hi,

Submission

Run:

node ../../scripts/upwork-submit-proposal.mjs '<proposal-url>' /abs/path/to/payload.json

Success is confirmed only when the final URL contains ?success.

The submit script:

• fills visible textarea fields in order
• fills visible text, url, email, and number inputs in order
• clicks Submit a proposal
• extracts the success URL and proposal ID
• appends a JSONL log entry if UPWORK_AUTOPILOT_LOG is set

Failure handling

• If the page opens a video interview flow, skip unless the user explicitly wants that path.
• If the apply button is disabled, read the probe output before deciding whether to skip.
• If the form asks for required information that is missing from the profile, stop and ask the user before submitting.
• If net::ERR_ABORTED appears, another command touched the same Upwork tab. Resume with single-threaded browser actions only.
• If login, CAPTCHA, or 2FA appears, hand control to the user and resume after confirmation.