| name | brain-search |
| description | Query the wiki to answer a question. Searches semantically, synthesizes an answer with inline citations, and optionally files the answer as a permanent Q&A page. Trigger phrases: /brain-search, what do I know about, search the wiki, find everything about, what does the wiki say about. |
| argument-hint | The question or topic to query (e.g. 'what do I know about transformer architecture?') |
Brain Search
Runs the 4-step query workflow defined in CLAUDE.md. Answers come with inline [[wiki/page]] citations — not a list of files.
Brain Discovery
All commands target the default brain registered in ~/.claude-second-brain/config.toml.
Resolve paths and run qmd via the claude-second-brain CLI — do not bake paths into this file:
BRAIN_PATH=$(npx -y claude-second-brain path)
npx -y claude-second-brain qmd -- query -c wiki "<question>"
Pass --brain <name> before the -- to target a non-default brain.
Workflow
Step 1 — Search the wiki
- Run hybrid search:
npx -y claude-second-brain qmd -- query -c wiki "<question>"
- Read
$BRAIN_PATH/wiki/index.md to confirm coverage and catch any pages qmd didn't surface
- Read the 2–5 most relevant pages in full before synthesizing (paths relative to
$BRAIN_PATH)
Step 2 — Synthesize an answer
- Write the answer with inline
[[wiki/page]] citations throughout
- Be explicit about confidence: flag gaps with "The wiki doesn't have coverage on X."
- If relevant pages are sparse, say so — don't pad with speculation
Step 3 — Offer to file
- If the answer draws together multiple pages in a novel way, ask:
"This answer synthesizes several pages in a useful way — want me to file it as a Q&A page?"
- If yes:
- Create
$BRAIN_PATH/wiki/qa/[slug].md with frontmatter type: qa
- Add to the Q&A section in
wiki/index.md
- Add
[[wiki/qa/slug]] cross-links from the relevant topic pages
Step 4 — Log (if significant)
