| name | batch-intake-writeback |
| description | Turn grouped source-intake batches into durable Obsidian writeback with provenance, routing, and checkpoint verification. |
Batch intake writeback
Use this skill when a batch of source records arrives grouped by channel/thread and you need to compact the batch, decide routing, write durable notes, and advance the intake checkpoint.
Core flow
-
Compact by group first.
- Merge repeated facts/messages inside each channel/thread before writing anything.
- Treat each grouped conversation/activity window as one unit.
-
Answer the four intake questions for each group.
- What needs to be done?
- How can I help now?
- What facts changed?
- What patterns/signals changed?
-
Route the group.
- If the target entity/project is clear: update the relevant State + Log note with provenance.
- If routing is uncertain or spans multiple entities: write one sourced Inbox note for the batch.
- If the group is noise with no usable content: skip it and record the skip reason in the batch summary.
-
Write durable notes with provenance.
- Inbox summaries should include source line ranges or representative
vadimgest://... URIs.
- Entity log entries should use a clear title,
src:, mentions:, summary, and facts-touched:.
- Keep the summary compact; do not mirror raw rows one-for-one when they belong to the same conversation.
-
Commit only after writeback.
- Run the exact checkpoint commit snippet provided with the batch.
- Commit only the listed source lines.
- Verify the checkpoint file actually advanced after the commit.
Important pitfalls
- Do not overwrite a note from a partial read. If a file was read with pagination, truncation, or a warning, re-read the full file before using write-file/overwrite actions.
- Do not create one note per raw row. Group first, then write once per thread/window.
- Do not commit a source line you did not fully process. If any source in the batch is incomplete, leave that source uncommitted.
- Do not invent routing when a single Inbox note is enough. When uncertain, preserve the evidence in Inbox and let later grooming resolve it.
Verification
Before finishing, confirm:
- the intended notes were written,
- the checkpoint file was updated,
- the batch summary reflects what was actually processed,
- the final report names the note paths written.
Reference material
references/heartbeat-edge-backfill-2026-07-02.md — worked example of grouped intake, routing, note writing, and checkpoint commit.