Skill: ivangdavila/car-rental (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Car Rental slug: car-rental version: 1.0.0 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/car-rental description: Find the best car rental deals with price comparison, alerts, and lease vs rent analysis. changelog: Initial release with monitoring, price tracking, and smart comparison features. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🚗","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## Setup On first use, read `setup.md`. Always ask user permission before creating ~/car-rental/ folder or any files. ## When to Use User needs to rent, lease, or find vehicle deals. Agent handles price comparison across sites, monitors for deals, tracks preferences, and analyzes rent vs lease vs buy decisions. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/car-rental/`. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ``` ~/car-rental/ ├── memory.md # Preferences, active searches, alerts ├── searches/ # Saved search configurations └── history/ # Past rentals and price snapshots ``` ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | Setup process | `setup.md` | | Memory template | `memory-template.md` | | Sites and sources | `sites.md` | | Rent vs Lease | `comparison.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Always Compare Multiple Sources Never recommend based on one site. Check at least 3 sources: - Aggregators: Kayak, Google Flights, Rentalcars.com - Direct: Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Sixt, Europcar - Budget: AutoEurope, DiscoverCars, local options ### 2. Factor Total Cost Base price is misleading. Always calculate: - Insurance (CDW, theft, liability) - Fuel policy (full-to-full vs prepaid) - Airport fees and taxes - Mileage limits and overage charges - One-way drop-off fees - Young/senior driver surcharges ### 3. Track User Preferences Save and apply: - Preferred car class (economy, SUV, luxury) - Insurance preferences (own coverage vs rental) - Transmission preference (auto vs manual) - Fuel type (petrol, diesel, electric, hybrid) - Loyalty programs (Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred, etc.) ### 4. Monitor With Permission When user explicitly requests an alert: - Ask how often they want updates - Check prices at requested intervals - Notify on significant drops (>15%) - Track availability for high-demand dates - User can disable alerts anytime ### 5. Match Solution to Duration | Duration | Best Option | |----------|-------------| | 1-7 days | Standard rental | | 1-4 weeks | Long-term rental or subscription | | 1-6 months | Lease or subscription | | 6+ months | Lease, finance, or buy | ### 6. Location Intelligence Prices vary dramatically by: - Airport vs city center (airport often 30-50% more) - Country regulations (some require IDP) - Local vs international companies - Seasonal demand (holidays, events) ## Car Rental Traps - **Prepaid fuel trap** → Often overpriced. Full-to-full policy is usually cheaper unless you genuinely cannot refuel before return. - **Basic insurance trap** → CDW often has high excess (€1000+). Check if your credit card or travel insurance covers this. - **One-way fee surprise** → Can be €100-500+. Always check before booking if picking up and dropping off in different locations. - **Manual transmission default** → In Europe, cheapest options are often manual. Filter for automatic if needed. - **Mileage caps** → Some "cheap" deals have 100km/day limits. Calculate your actual needs. - **Credit card hold trap** → Some companies block €1000-3000 on your card. Debit cards often refused. ## Comparison Framework ### Rent vs Lease vs Buy | Factor | Short Rental | Long-term Lease | Buy | |--------|--------------|-----------------|-----| | Duration | Days to weeks | Months to years | Permanent | | Upfront cost | Low | Medium | High | | Monthly cost | Highest | Medium | Lowest (once paid) | | Flexibility | Maximum | Medium | Low | | Maintenance | Included | Usually included | Your responsibility | | Best for | Travel, occasional use | Temporary relocation, testing | Permanent need | ### When to Consider Leasing - Relocating 3-12 months - Testing a car before buying - Don't want maintenance hassle - Business use with tax benefits - Credit score issues (easier than financing) ### When Short-term Rental Beats Leasing - Less than 2-3 months total use - Sporadic use (weekends only) - Different car needs each time - Peak season (leasing harder to find) ## Alert Configuration Users can set alerts for: - **Price drop** — Notify when price falls below threshold - **Availability** — Notify when specific car becomes available - **Deal quality** — Notify when total cost is in bottom 20% historically - **Comparison** — Notify when better option found vs current booking Alert frequency options: - Immediate (any change) - Daily digest - Weekly summary ## Data Storage **All data is stored locally in ~/car-rental/ (created only with your permission):** - memory.md — your preferences and active alerts - searches/ — saved search configurations - history/ — past rental price snapshots **You control everything:** - View: Read any file in ~/car-rental/ - Delete: Remove files or the entire folder anytime - No cloud sync, no external storage ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** - All preferences and search history in ~/car-rental/ - No telemetry or cloud sync **When comparing prices:** - Agent searches rental sites using your specified criteria (location, dates, car type) - These search parameters are sent to rental sites (Kayak, Hertz, etc.) as part of normal searches - No account credentials, payment info, or personal identifiers are shared **This skill does NOT:** - Store payment information - Make bookings on your behalf - Access files outside ~/car-rental/ - Send data to any server we control ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `travel` — trip planning and logistics - `expenses` — track rental costs - `money` — budget decisions ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star car-rental` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`

path: comparison.md
content: # Rent vs Lease vs Buy — Car Rental

## Decision Framework

### When to Rent (days to weeks)

**Best for:**
- Travel and vacations
- Occasional car needs
- Testing before buying
- Car in the shop temporarily
- Special occasions (weddings, road trips)

**Advantages:**
- Maximum flexibility
- No commitment
- Insurance included (usually)
- Different car each time
- No maintenance concerns

**Disadvantages:**
- Highest daily cost
- Paperwork each time
- Age restrictions
- Credit card holds

### When to Lease (months to years)

**Best for:**
- Temporary relocation (3-24 months)
- Business use with tax benefits
- Testing a car/lifestyle before buying
- Don't want maintenance responsibility
- Prefer predictable monthly cost
- Want new car every few years

**Advantages:**
- Lower monthly cost than renting
- Maintenance often included
- Newer vehicles
- Predictable expenses
- Gap coverage typically included

**Disadvantages:**
- Mileage limits (usually 10-15k km/year)
- Early termination fees
- No ownership at end
- Wear-and-tear charges
- Must maintain good condition

### When to Buy

**Best for:**
- Permanent car need
- High mileage usage
- Want to customize
- Plan to keep 5+ years
- Build equity

**Advantages:**
- No mileage limits
- Own the asset
- Customize freely
- No payments after payoff
- Can sell anytime

**Disadvantages:**
- Highest upfront cost
- Depreciation risk
- Maintenance responsibility
- Insurance your problem
- Tied to one vehicle

## Break-even Calculations

### Rental vs Lease Break-even

**General rule:** If you need a car for more than 2-3 months continuously, leasing becomes cheaper.

**Example calculation:**
- Rental: €40/day = €1,200/month
- Lease: €400/month + €1,000 deposit
- Break-even: ~2 months

**But factor in:**
- Rental insurance often included
- Lease might require separate insurance
- Lease deposit opportunity cost
- Rental flexibility value

### Lease vs Buy Break-even

**General rule:** If keeping 5+ years, buying is usually cheaper total cost.

**3-year comparison example (mid-size sedan):**
| Option | 3-Year Total |
|--------|-------------|
| Lease | €400 x 36 = €14,400 |
| Buy (financed) | €25,000 - €12,000 resale = €13,000 + interest |
| Buy (cash) | €25,000 - €12,000 resale = €13,000 |

**But factor in:**
- Maintenance costs (owned car)
- Depreciation uncertainty
- Opportunity cost of capital
- Flexibility value

## Special Situations

### Company Car (Business Use)

Often lease is tax-advantageous:
- Payments deductible (check local rules)
- VAT recovery possible
- No asset on balance sheet
- Predictable fleet costs

### Expat/Relocation

Consider:
- Lease for known duration
- Subscription for uncertainty
- Local vs international company
- Re-export complications

### Testing Before Buying

Strategy:
1. Rent the exact model for a weekend
2. If interested, lease for 3-6 months
3. Then buy with confidence

### Seasonal Needs

If you only need a car part of the year:
- Summer cottage: rent each visit
- Winter car: consider 6-month lease
- Calculate annual cost both ways


path: memory-template.md
content: # Memory Template — Car Rental

Create `~/car-rental/memory.md` with this structure:

```markdown
# Car Rental Memory

## Status
status: ongoing
version: 1.0.0
last: YYYY-MM-DD
integration: pending

## Preferences
<!-- Add as you learn from conversations -->

### Vehicle
<!-- car class, transmission, fuel type, features -->

### Insurance
<!-- own coverage, preferred options, excess tolerance -->

### Budget
<!-- price sensitivity, willing to pay more for... -->

## Loyalty Programs
<!-- memberships, tiers, benefits -->

## Frequent Locations
<!-- airports, cities, countries they commonly rent in -->

## Active Alerts
<!-- ongoing price monitoring -->

## Past Rentals
<!-- history for context and comparison -->

---
*Updated: YYYY-MM-DD*
```

## Status Values

| Value | Meaning | Behavior |
|-------|---------|----------|
| `ongoing` | Still learning | Add info when user shares it |
| `complete` | Has enough context | Work normally |
| `paused` | User said "not now" | Don't ask, work with what you have |

## Search Configuration

For saved searches in `~/car-rental/searches/`:

```markdown
# Search: [Name]

## Details
pickup: Location, Date, Time
return: Location, Date, Time
car_class: economy | compact | midsize | suv | luxury
transmission: auto | manual | any
fuel: petrol | diesel | electric | hybrid | any

## Alert Settings
alert_type: price_drop | availability | deal_quality
threshold: [price or percentage]
frequency: immediate | daily | weekly
active: true | false

## Price History
<!-- snapshots for comparison -->
YYYY-MM-DD: €XX (Site)
YYYY-MM-DD: €XX (Site)

---
*Created: YYYY-MM-DD*
```

## Key Principles

- **Store what user explicitly shares** — preferences, locations, alerts
- **Update `last`** on each use
- **Track price history** to identify good deals


path: setup.md
content: # Setup — Car Rental

On first use, read this to understand the setup flow. Ask user before creating any files or folders.

## Your Attitude

You're a car rental expert who knows all the tricks to save money and avoid traps. The user should feel like they've got an insider on their side who will find them the best deal — not just the cheapest advertised price, but the best total value.

## Priority Order

### 1. First: Understand When to Help

Ask how they want this skill activated:
- "Should I help whenever you mention car rentals or travel?"
- "Want price alerts? I can check periodically if you set one up."

Save their answer in ~/car-rental/memory.md (with their permission to create the folder).

### 2. Then: Understand Their Situation

Key things to learn early:
- **Usage pattern:** Occasional traveler? Frequent renter? Considering long-term lease?
- **Typical locations:** Airports, cities, countries they frequent
- **Preferences:** Car size, transmission, fuel type
- **Budget sensitivity:** Price-focused or willing to pay for convenience?
- **Insurance situation:** Has own coverage (credit card, policy) or needs rental insurance?
- **Loyalty programs:** Any existing memberships (Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred, etc.)

Ask naturally, don't interrogate. Pick up context from their first request.

### 3. Then: Current Need (if any)

If they have an immediate rental need:
- Where and when?
- What type of car?
- Any special requirements?

Start helping right away — you can learn preferences while finding their deal.

### 4. Finally: Monitoring Setup (if interested)

If they want ongoing monitoring:
- Which locations/dates to watch?
- Price threshold for alerts?
- How often to check?

## Feedback After Each Response

When the user shares information:
1. Acknowledge what matters to them
2. Show how you'll use it to get them better deals
3. Then continue

Example:
> User: "I usually rent in Spain for work, maybe 10 times a year, always need automatic"
> 
> Good: "Spain 10x a year with automatic — that's enough volume that you should have a loyalty program working for you. Are you with any of the big chains already, or should we find one that makes sense for Spanish airports?"

## What You're Saving (with user permission)

In ~/car-rental/memory.md (ask before creating):
- Preferred car types and features
- Typical locations and duration
- Insurance preferences
- Loyalty memberships
- Price sensitivity
- Active searches and alerts
- Past rental history (if they share)


path: sites.md
content: # Sites and Sources — Car Rental

## Aggregators (Check First)

| Site | Strengths | Notes |
|------|-----------|-------|
| Kayak | Good price comparison, filter options | Includes budget options |
| Google | Quick overview, integrates with travel | Limited filtering |
| Rentalcars.com | Wide coverage, good reviews | Owned by Booking.com |
| AutoEurope | Often cheapest, good long-term rates | US-based, strong in Europe |
| DiscoverCars | Budget-focused, good deals | Check reviews carefully |

## Major International Companies

| Company | Loyalty Program | Strengths |
|---------|-----------------|-----------|
| Hertz | Gold Plus Rewards | Premium fleet, fast pickup |
| Avis | Preferred | Business-friendly, good coverage |
| Enterprise | Plus | Neighborhood locations, pickup service |
| National | Emerald Club | Choose your own car, fast |
| Budget | Fastbreak | Value option, same fleet as Avis |
| Sixt | Sixt+ | Premium European fleet |
| Europcar | Privilege | Strong in Europe |
| Alamo | Insiders | Good for leisure, unlimited mileage |

## European Specialists

| Company | Best For |
|---------|----------|
| Goldcar | Spain, budget (check insurance) |
| InterRent | Budget European option |
| Rhodium | Budget, often via aggregators |
| Green Motion | Eco-conscious, younger fleet |

## Subscription Services

For longer-term needs (1+ months):

| Service | Model | Best For |
|---------|-------|----------|
| Sixt+ | Monthly subscription | Flexibility, premium cars |
| Hertz My Car | Subscription | US market |
| Finn | Subscription | Germany |
| Onto | EV subscription | UK electric only |
| Local dealers | Lease | 6+ months |

## Price Comparison Strategy

### For Short Rentals (1-7 days)
1. Check aggregators first (Kayak, Rentalcars)
2. Note best price
3. Check direct with that company (sometimes cheaper)
4. Check AutoEurope/DiscoverCars for budget options
5. Factor in insurance and total cost

### For Medium-term (1-4 weeks)
1. Ask aggregators for "monthly" rates
2. Check subscription services
3. Compare total cost vs daily rate x days
4. Consider pickup from city vs airport

### For Long-term (1+ months)
1. Subscription services first
2. Local dealers for lease quotes
3. Traditional rental with monthly rate
4. Calculate break-even vs buying

## Red Flags

- **Too cheap** — Check what's excluded (insurance, mileage, fees)
- **Unknown company** — Read recent reviews carefully
- **Prepay required** — Less flexibility, harder refunds
- **Pickup location unclear** — Might be shuttle bus required
- **"Free cancellation" details** — Check the actual terms


Security scan verdicts — ClawScan: clean | static analysis: clean | VirusTotal: clean | SkillSpector: suspicious (MEDIUM)