diff --git a/src/void_tools/cli.py b/src/void_tools/cli.py
index da10dbc..567fd33 100644
--- a/src/void_tools/cli.py
+++ b/src/void_tools/cli.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def cmd_sync(args):
         latest_seen_timestamp = ""
         
         while not stop_pagination:
-            params = {'limit': min(50, args.limit) if not args.unread_only else 50}
+            params = {'limit': 50}
             if cursor:
                 params['cursor'] = cursor
                 
@@ -105,14 +105,21 @@ def cmd_sync(args):
                 break
                 
             for notif in response.notifications:
+                # Filter out passive engagement (likes and non-quote reposts)
+                if notif.reason in ['like', 'repost']:
+                    # We still update the latest seen timestamp to not break the sync marker
+                    if not latest_seen_timestamp or notif.indexed_at > latest_seen_timestamp:
+                        latest_seen_timestamp = notif.indexed_at
+                    continue
+
                 if args.unread_only and notif.is_read:
                     stop_pagination = True
                     break
                     
-                if not args.unread_only and len(inbox) >= args.limit:
+                if not args.unread_only and len(inbox) >= 100:
                     stop_pagination = True
                     break
-                
+                    
                 # Capture the timestamp of the most recent notification we fetched
                 if not latest_seen_timestamp or notif.indexed_at > latest_seen_timestamp:
                     latest_seen_timestamp = notif.indexed_at
@@ -135,7 +142,6 @@ def cmd_sync(args):
                 try:
                     with open(memory_file, 'r') as mf:
                         content = mf.read()
-                        # Very basic frontmatter stripping
                         if content.startswith("---"):
                             parts = content.split("---", 2)
                             if len(parts) >= 3:
@@ -144,34 +150,40 @@ def cmd_sync(args):
                 except Exception as e:
                     item["memory_block"] = f"Error reading memory: {e}"
             else:
-                item["memory_block"] = "No prior records found."
-                
-                # Fetch thread context for replies, quotes, or mentions
-                if notif.reason in ['reply', 'quote', 'mention']:
-                    try:
-                        thread_uri = notif.uri
-                        if notif.reason == 'quote' and hasattr(notif.record, 'embed') and hasattr(notif.record.embed, 'record'):
-                            pass
-                            
-                        thread_resp = client.app.bsky.feed.get_post_thread({'uri': thread_uri, 'depth': 0, 'parent_height': 5})
-                        
-                        context = []
-                        curr = thread_resp.thread
-                        while hasattr(curr, 'parent') and curr.parent:
-                            curr = curr.parent
-                            if hasattr(curr, 'post') and hasattr(curr.post, 'record') and hasattr(curr.post.record, 'text'):
-                                context.insert(0, {
-                                    "author": f"@{curr.post.author.handle}",
-                                    "text": curr.post.record.text
-                                })
-                        
-                        if context:
-                            item["thread_context"] = context
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        item["thread_context"] = f"Failed to fetch context: {str(e)}"
+                item["memory_block"] = "No prior records found. Auto-creating stub."
+                try:
+                    import datetime
+                    today = datetime.datetime.utcnow().strftime('%Y-%m-%d')
+                    stub_content = f"---\ndescription: User block for {safe_handle}\n---\n# User: @{handle}\n\n## Interaction History\n- **{today}:** Profile initialized via automated sync discovery.\n"
+                    with open(memory_file, 'w') as mf:
+                        mf.write(stub_content)
+                    print(f"  [+] Auto-created core memory block for @{handle}")
+                except Exception as e:
+                    print(f"  [!] Failed to auto-create block for @{handle}: {e}")
                 
-                inbox.append(item)
-                mapping[local_id] = notif.uri
+            # Fetch thread context for replies, quotes, or mentions
+            if notif.reason in ['reply', 'quote', 'mention']:
+                try:
+                    thread_uri = notif.uri
+                    thread_resp = client.app.bsky.feed.get_post_thread({'uri': thread_uri, 'depth': 0, 'parent_height': 5})
+                    
+                    context = []
+                    curr = thread_resp.thread
+                    while hasattr(curr, 'parent') and curr.parent:
+                        curr = curr.parent
+                        if hasattr(curr, 'post') and hasattr(curr.post, 'record') and hasattr(curr.post.record, 'text'):
+                            context.insert(0, {
+                                "author": f"@{curr.post.author.handle}",
+                                "text": curr.post.record.text
+                            })
+                    
+                    if context:
+                        item["thread_context"] = context
+                except Exception as e:
+                    item["thread_context"] = f"Failed to fetch context: {str(e)}"
+            
+            inbox.append(item)
+            mapping[local_id] = notif.uri
                 
             if stop_pagination or not response.cursor:
                 break
@@ -566,7 +578,6 @@ def main():
     
     # Sync
     sync_parser = subparsers.add_parser("sync", help="Sync unread notifications to inbox.yaml")
-    sync_parser.add_argument("--limit", type=int, default=20, help="Number of notifications to fetch")
     sync_parser.add_argument("--all", dest="unread_only", action="store_false", help="Fetch read notifications as well")
     sync_parser.set_defaults(unread_only=True)
     
@@ -592,7 +603,6 @@ def main():
     update_parser.add_argument("--description", help="New description/bio")
     update_parser.add_argument("--display-name", help="New display name")
 
-    # Dispatch
     dispatch_parser = subparsers.add_parser("dispatch", help="Dispatch posts from an outbox YAML file")
     dispatch_parser.add_argument("file", nargs="?", default="outbox.yaml", help="Path to outbox YAML file")