Austin

Setup

On first use, read setup.md for integration guidelines.

When to Use

User asks about Austin, Texas for any purpose: visiting, relocating, working in tech, starting a business, or experiencing the music and food scene. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.

Architecture

Memory lives in ~/.austin/. See memory-template.md for structure.

~/.austin/
└── memory.md     # User context and preferences

Quick Reference

Core Rules

1. Identify User Context First

• Role: Tourist, relocator, tech worker, remote worker, entrepreneur, student
• Timeline: Short visit, planning to move, already there, considering Austin vs other cities
• Load relevant auxiliary file for details

2. The Tech Migration Hub

Austin has transformed into America's hottest tech destination. Key factors:

• No state income tax: Massive draw for high earners (CA refugees save 10-13%)
• Major HQs relocated: Tesla, Oracle, Charles Schwab, COTA
• Big Tech campuses: Apple ($1B), Google, Meta, Amazon, Dell HQ
• Startup ecosystem: 8th largest in US, strong VC presence
• Remote work friendly: Many California/NYC companies have Austin offices See tech.md for industry details and visas.md for work authorization.

3. Cultural Context

Austin is Texas's liberal island but still fundamentally Texan:

• Keep Austin Weird: Local slogan supporting indie businesses
• Music identity: "Live Music Capital of the World" — taken seriously
• Tex-Mex is religion: Breakfast tacos are a daily ritual
• Outdoor culture: Running, biking, kayaking are lifestyle defaults
• Casual dress: Tech casual everywhere; suits are rare and suspicious See culture.md for detailed guidance.

4. Weather Reality

• Subtropical climate: Mild winters, brutally hot summers
• Best seasons: Spring (Mar-May) and Fall (Oct-Nov) — 20-28C, gorgeous
• Summer (Jun-Sep): Extreme heat (38-42C), everyone moves indoors
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Mild (5-18C) but occasional ice storms
• "Allergy capital": Cedar fever (Dec-Feb), oak (Mar-Apr) are severe See climate.md for monthly breakdown and survival tips.

5. Current Data (Feb 2026)

6. Cost Reality

Austin is no longer cheap — the tech boom changed everything:

• Housing: Doubled in 5 years; crisis-level competition
• No income tax: Offset by high property taxes (~2.1% of home value)
• Food & entertainment: Reasonable for a tech hub
• Car required: Transit exists but car is near-essential
• Healthcare: Private insurance required; costs vary wildly
• Savings vs CA: Still significant, but gap narrowing

7. Transit Reality

Unlike coastal cities, Austin is car-centric:

• Car: Near-essential for most lifestyles
• CapMetro buses: Exist but limited coverage
• MetroRail: One line, commuter-focused, limited hours
• Rideshare: Uber/Lyft widely available
• Biking: Growing infrastructure, good in central areas
• E-scooters: Everywhere downtown, useful for short trips
• I-35 traffic: Legendary. Plan around it or suffer. See transport.md for complete guide.

8. Neighborhood Matching

The Austin Transformation

Understanding Austin requires knowing its recent history:

• Pre-2010: Affordable college town with great music scene
• 2010-2015: Tech presence grows, "Silicon Hills" nickname sticks
• 2015-2020: F1 arrives (COTA), growth accelerates, prices rise
• 2020-2021: Pandemic exodus from CA; Tesla, Oracle announce moves
• 2021-2023: Housing prices double, traffic worsens, "old Austin" mourned
• 2023-present: Growth slows slightly, affordability crisis, infrastructure struggles

The city you'll find today is dramatically different from even 5 years ago.

Austin-Specific Traps

• Summer underestimation — 40C+ heat is dangerous. Plan indoor activities Jun-Sep.
• Franklin BBQ line — 3-4 hour waits. Go at 8am or order ahead. Other BBQ is also great.
• SXSW chaos — Avoid downtown mid-March unless attending. Hotels 3x price.
• Cedar fever — Not a cold. Dec-Feb allergies devastate newcomers. Get tested.
• "Central Austin" rent — Listings say central, mean 20 min from downtown.
• I-35 commute — Never underestimate. 10 miles can be 45+ minutes at rush hour.
• No zoning myths — Austin has zoning, just different than CA/NY.
• "Austin's changed" locals — Yes, it has. They're not wrong. Be humble.
• Property tax shock — Calculate it: ~2.1% of assessed value annually.
• Water restrictions — Summer droughts mean strict watering rules.

Legal Awareness

Key laws visitors/residents must know:

• Marijuana: Still illegal in Texas. Not decriminalized. Real arrests happen.
• Open carry: Legal for handguns (21+, no permit required as of 2021).
• Alcohol: Bars close at 2am. No public drinking. Some areas dry on Sundays.
• Employment: At-will state. Non-competes enforceable but limited.
• Tenant rights: Landlord-friendly state. Lease terms are usually final.
• Vehicle inspection: Annual requirement. Registration separate.
• No state income tax: But property and sales taxes are high.

See safety.md for comprehensive legal guidance.

The Housing Reality (2026)

This deserves special attention:

• Price explosion: Median home from $300K (2019) to $550K+ (2026)
• Competition: Multiple offers, cash buyers, waived inspections common
• Rent increases: 30-50% in past 3 years in desirable areas
• California factor: Remote workers with CA salaries outbid locals
• Local sentiment: Significant resentment toward newcomers raising prices
• As a newcomer: Be aware you're part of a controversial dynamic. Don't lead with "I'm from California."

Language & Communication

• English dominant: Minimal language barrier
• Spanish useful: ~35% Hispanic population, appreciated in many contexts
• Texas phrases: "Y'all" is standard, "Bless your heart" is not always kind
• Direct communication: Texans are friendly but direct
• Small talk culture: Strangers talk to you. It's normal.

Related Skills

Install with clawhub install \x3Cslug> if user confirms:

• dubai — Another major expat destination
• travel — General travel planning
• work — Career and productivity

Feedback

• If useful: clawhub star austin
• Stay updated: clawhub sync