| name | query |
| description | Multi-source retrieval strategy — 5-tier source priority (QMD → direct read → Confluence → Jira → web), citation format, confidence tags, staleness rules, and gap reporting. Load when answering any question that requires searching the knowledge base, citing sources, or reporting what is unknown. |
| updated | "2026-05-07T00:00:00.000Z" |
| related | ["qmd","confluence","jira"] |
Multi-source retrieval and citation authority. Owns how to search, cite, and report confidence.
> 5-tier source priority. Tag every claim with citation + confidence. Surface conflicts, NEVER silently resolve. Read-only — querying never writes. For QMD CLI mechanics, load `qmd` skill. For Confluence/Jira mechanics, load `confluence` and `jira` skills.
<source_priority>
Search in order. DO NOT skip a tier without reason.
| Tier | Sources | When to use |
|---|
| 1 | QMD index (qmd query) | Always first — covers resources/, journal/, projects/ if indexed |
| 2 | Direct file read | When QMD snippets insufficient; read full article |
| 3 | Confluence | Team decisions, architecture, process docs, org charts |
| 4 | Jira | Project history, ownership, deadlines, ticket decisions |
| 5 | Web | External facts, library docs, recent developments |
NEVER report a gap before exhausting all five tiers.
</source_priority>
1. Run `qmd query ""` — top 5–10 results.
2. Sparse results? Run second query with alternative phrasing or different type (`lex`, `vec`, `hyde`).
3. Nothing after 2 attempts? Browse relevant directory tree manually before Tier 3.
Combine lex + vec when vocabulary uncertain.
When QMD returns ≥5 relevant results: offload bulk reading to explore sub-agent. Pass: question, result paths, repo root. Agent returns key claims per source, dates, cross-references. Read inline when ≤4 results.
Tag every claim with source.
| Source | Citation |
|---|
| Resource | [resource: resources/<path>.md] |
| Project / dev-log | [project: projects/<slug>/<path>.md] |
| Confluence | [confluence: <page-title> (<page-id>)] |
| Jira | [jira: <KEY-123>] |
| Web | [web: <url>] |
Lead with answer. Citations and preamble follow.
Attach one tag to every claim or section.
| Tag | Meaning |
|---|
[VERIFIED] | Multiple independent sources agree |
[CITED] | Single source; no contradiction found |
[ASSUMED] | Inferred from context; no direct source |
DO NOT suppress low-confidence answers. Surface with [ASSUMED] and state why.
| Source | Threshold | Action |
|---|
Resource (actualized) | >3 months | Warn ⚠ stale; still present |
| Confluence page | Modified after article's actualized | Flag; suggest resource-enrich |
Conflicting sources: surface conflict explicitly, note which is more recent. NEVER silently pick one.
For each gap state:
- What query could not answer.
- Which tier would most likely fill it (e.g., "Confluence Finance space" or "web search for library docs").
External source fills gap during search? Note it; suggest resource-ingest to add to graph.
<read_only_rule>
Querying NEVER modifies files. No commits, no dev-log entries during query.
Exception: critical gap warranting immediate enrichment — surface suggestion, ask user whether to proceed with resource-ingest or resource-enrich.
</read_only_rule>
<self_review>
<output_rules>Output in English. Preserve verbatim citation tag formats and confidence tags.</output_rules>
