fix(cron): keep SOUL.md identity when workdir is unset

run_agent.py

@@ -926,6 +926,7 @@ class AIAgent:
         thread_id: str = None,
         gateway_session_key: str = None,
         skip_context_files: bool = False,
+        load_soul_identity: bool = False,
         skip_memory: bool = False,
         session_db=None,
         parent_session_id: str = None,
@@ -977,6 +978,9 @@ class AIAgent:
             skip_context_files (bool): If True, skip auto-injection of SOUL.md, AGENTS.md, and .cursorrules
                 into the system prompt. Use this for batch processing and data generation to avoid
                 polluting trajectories with user-specific persona or project instructions.
+            load_soul_identity (bool): If True, still use ~/.hermes/SOUL.md as the primary
+                identity even when skip_context_files=True. Project context files from the cwd
+                remain skipped.
         """
         _install_safe_stdio()
 
@@ -1005,6 +1009,7 @@ class AIAgent:
         self._print_fn = None
         self.background_review_callback = None  # Optional sync callback for gateway delivery
         self.skip_context_files = skip_context_files
+        self.load_soul_identity = load_soul_identity
         self.pass_session_id = pass_session_id
         self._credential_pool = credential_pool
         self.log_prefix_chars = log_prefix_chars
@@ -4742,9 +4747,11 @@ class AIAgent:
         #   6. Current date & time (frozen at build time)
         #   7. Platform-specific formatting hint
 
-        # Try SOUL.md as primary identity (unless context files are skipped)
+        # Try SOUL.md as primary identity unless the caller explicitly skipped it.
+        # Some execution modes (cron) still want HERMES_HOME persona while keeping
+        # cwd project instructions disabled.
         _soul_loaded = False
-        if not self.skip_context_files:
+        if self.load_soul_identity or not self.skip_context_files:
             _soul_content = load_soul_md()
             if _soul_content:
                 prompt_parts = [_soul_content]