topic-diary

name	topic-diary
description	MUST use when user says 'save topic', 'save to topic diary', 'remember this under', 'review topic', 'list topics', or when a generic 'save' request needs routing between session memory, daily diary, topic diary, or all targets.

Topic Diary — Subject-Based Memory Skill

A subject remembers what the calendar forgets.

Activation

When this skill activates for a topic save, output:

Capturing this under the right topic.

For a generic save request, do not write immediately if the target is unclear. Ask one short routing question.

Context Guard

Context	Status
User says "save topic"	ACTIVE — topic diary write
User says "save to topic diary"	ACTIVE — topic diary write
User says "remember this under [topic]"	ACTIVE — named topic write
User says "review topic [topic]"	ACTIVE — read and summarize topic
User says "list topics"	ACTIVE — read topic index
User says generic "save"	ACTIVE — route save target before writing
No save or recall request	DORMANT — no topic diary action

Save Routing Protocol

When the user says save, save memory, remember this, or another ambiguous save phrase:

1. Infer the likely target from context.
2. If confidence is high, briefly state the target and proceed.
3. If unclear, ask:

Save where: session memory, daily diary, topic diary, or all?

Use these rules:

Target	Use When
Session memory	Needed to continue current work after restart
Daily diary	Captures session story, collaboration, or achievements
Topic diary	Captures reusable knowledge about a subject
All	Information is both immediately important and reusable long-term

Topic Save Protocol

Step 1: Determine Topic

• Use explicit topic if user says under [topic]
• Otherwise infer from session context
• If uncertain, ask one short question:

Which topic should I save this under?

Step 2: Normalize Topic Filename

• Convert topic to lowercase kebab-case
• Remove unsafe path characters
• Use topic-diary/topics/[topic].md
• Examples:
  • Docker Compose -> docker-compose.md
  • 9router Kiro -> 9router-kiro.md
  • Writing Style -> writing-style.md

Step 3: Create Topic File If Missing

If the topic file does not exist, create it using topic-format.md header structure:

# [Topic Name] Topic Diary
*Reusable discoveries, fixes, decisions, and lessons for this subject.*

## Topic Metadata
- **Created**: [date]
- **Last Updated**: [date]
- **Aliases**: [related names]
- **Recall Keywords**: [search terms]

---

Step 4: Compose Entry

• Get real timestamp via platform command
• Write a concise, evidence-based entry using these sections:
  • Context
  • Discovery
  • Confirmed Details
  • Pitfalls
  • Recall Keywords
  • Follow-ups
• Include commands, paths, links, error messages, and decisions when relevant
• Avoid raw transcript dumps

Step 5: Append Entry

• Append with --- separator
• Never overwrite previous entries
• Keep entries concise and high-signal

Step 6: Update Index

• Create topic-diary/index.md if missing using index-format.md
• Add topic if new
• Update latest date, aliases, and recall keywords

Step 7: Confirm

Confirm the save target and file:

Saved to topic diary: topic-diary/topics/[topic].md

Review Protocol

When user says review topic [topic]:

1. Open the matching topic file.
2. Summarize current understanding.
3. Highlight confirmed facts, open questions, and latest entries.
4. Mention the source file path.

List Protocol

When user says list topics:

1. Read topic-diary/index.md.
2. Show topic names, aliases, and latest update.
3. If the index is missing, scan topic-diary/topics/ and offer to rebuild it.

Mandatory Rules

1. Always append — never overwrite topic entries
2. Ask when ambiguous — generic save must route to the correct memory layer
3. Keep memory layers distinct — session, daily diary, and topic diary have different purposes
4. Use real timestamps — do not invent dates or times
5. Prefer evidence — save verified commands, paths, decisions, and lessons
6. Update index — every topic write should keep recall metadata fresh
7. Respect privacy — do not save sensitive secrets, tokens, or credentials into topic files

Edge Cases

Situation	Behavior
No topic-diary/ folder	Create required directories first
Topic unclear	Ask for topic name before writing
User says save all	Save to all relevant memory layers, if available
Sensitive content detected	Ask before saving or redact secrets
Topic file too large	Suggest archive or split, but do not delete content
Index missing	Recreate from existing topic files

Level History

• Lv.1 — Base: topic-based append-only journals, save target routing, topic index updates, and review/list commands.