synapse

name	synapse
description	Pattern detection and automatic skill recommendation system. Activates when analyzing Cortex memory files, detecting recurring work patterns, or determining if new skills are needed. Analyzes .cortex_log.md, PRD files, and task lists to identify patterns (API calls, testing, deployment, etc.) appearing 5+ times. Generates Synapse_RECOMMENDATIONS.md with prioritized skill suggestions. Use when optimizing workflows or identifying automation opportunities.
allowed-tools	Read, Write, Bash, Grep, Glob

Synapse - Automatic Skill Generator

Analyzes your work patterns and automatically generates the skills you need.

Synapse is the brain of the skill ecosystem. It watches Cortex memory, reads your PRD files, analyzes your tasks, and automatically creates new skills when patterns emerge.

What Synapse Does

Synapse performs unified analysis from multiple sources:

1. Cortex Memory Analysis

• Reads .cortex_log.md and .cortex_status.json
• Detects recurring patterns (API calls, data processing, errors, etc.)
• Identifies patterns that appear ≥ threshold (default: 5 times)
• Calculates priority based on frequency

2. PRD Analysis

• Scans for PRD files (*PRD*.md, *REQUIREMENTS*.md, *ROADMAP*.md)
• Extracts tasks and requirements
• Classifies by domain (api, testing, deployment, etc.)
• Counts tasks per domain to identify skill needs

3. Task Analysis

• Reads TODO files and task lists
• Parses checkboxes, numbered lists, bullets
• Groups related tasks
• Identifies skill opportunities

Automatic Skill Generation

Synapse runs automatically and generates skills without user intervention:

• Periodically: Every 30 minutes via cron (optional)
• On git commit: Via post-commit hook (optional)
• When critical patterns detected: Immediate generation

Skills are auto-generated when:

• Pattern appears ≥ threshold (default: 5 times)
• Priority is high or critical
• Skill doesn't already exist

How It Works

You work normally
        ↓
Cortex traces everything
        ↓
Synapse monitors automatically:
  - Cortex memory (patterns)
  - PRD files (requirements)
  - Task lists (TODO)
        ↓
Detects patterns >= threshold
        ↓
Auto-generates skills if priority >= high:
  - Creates .claude/skills/[skill-name]/
  - Generates SKILL.md with progressive disclosure
  - Creates scripts with Cortex API integration
  - Records in Cortex memory
        ↓
New skill ready immediately!
        ↓
Claude uses it automatically

No user intervention needed.

Priority Levels

Synapse assigns priorities based on frequency and task count:

• 🔴 CRITICAL: Pattern appears 2+ times/day → Auto-generate immediately
• 🟠 HIGH: Pattern appears 1+ times/day → Auto-generate
• 🟡 MEDIUM: Pattern appears 3-7 times/week → Monitor
• 🟢 LOW: Pattern appears <3 times/week → Monitor

Only HIGH and CRITICAL priorities trigger automatic generation.

Output

Synapse generates Synapse_RECOMMENDATIONS.md with prioritized skill recommendations:

# Synapse Skill Recommendations

## Summary
- Total recommendations: 3
- High priority: 2
- Medium priority: 1

## Recommended Skills

### 1. 🔴 api-optimizer (CRITICAL)
**Pattern:** api_call
**Frequency:** 3.5 times/day (24 total in 7 days)
**Reason:** Frequent API operations detected
...

See OUTPUT_FORMAT.md for complete output specification.

Quick Start

Automatic Mode (Recommended)

Run auto-generator to analyze and generate skills automatically:

python .claude/skills/synapse/scripts/auto_skill_generator.py

Skills with HIGH or CRITICAL priority will be generated automatically.

Analysis Only

Generate recommendations without auto-creating skills:

python .claude/skills/synapse/scripts/synapse_analyzer.py

This creates Synapse_RECOMMENDATIONS.md for manual review.

Setup Monitoring

Add to crontab for automatic periodic checks:

# Every 30 minutes
*/30 * * * * /path/to/.claude/skills/synapse/scripts/synapse_auto_watch.sh

Or use as git hook (see INSTALLATION.md).

Integration with Cortex

Synapse and Cortex work together seamlessly:

1. Cortex traces your work and records events
2. Synapse analyzes Cortex memory for patterns
3. Synapse generates skills when patterns reach threshold
4. New skills use Cortex API to record their own events
5. Pattern detection improves as more skills contribute data

This creates a self-improving system where skills emerge from actual usage patterns.

Generated Skill Structure

Synapse creates skills following best practices:

generated-skill/
├── SKILL.md (with YAML frontmatter)
├── scripts/
│   └── main.py (with Cortex API integration)
└── references/ (if needed)

All generated skills:

• ✅ Follow progressive disclosure principles
• ✅ Include Cortex API integration
• ✅ Have concise SKILL.md (<200 lines)
• ✅ Record their own events for future pattern detection
• ✅ Work with Claude Code, GPT, and Gemini

Multi-LLM Support

Synapse works with any CLI-based LLM:

• ✅ Claude Code: Native integration
• ✅ GPT/Codex: Reads Synapse_RECOMMENDATIONS.md
• ✅ Gemini CLI: Reads Synapse_RECOMMENDATIONS.md

See MULTI_LLM.md for LLM-specific guides.

Advanced Features

• Pattern merging: Combines Cortex + PRD patterns for higher priority
• Duplicate detection: Never generates skills that already exist
• Context preservation: Recommendations include example usage
• Custom thresholds: Configure sensitivity via command-line args

See ADVANCED.md for detailed documentation.

Configuration

Create .synapse_config.json for custom settings:

{
  "analysis": {
    "threshold": 5,
    "window_days": 7
  },
  "sources": {
    "cortex_memory": true,
    "prd_files": true,
    "task_lists": true
  }
}

See CONFIGURATION.md for all options.

References

• INSTALLATION.md - Setup and git hooks
• MANUAL_USAGE.md - Command-line options
• OUTPUT_FORMAT.md - Recommendation file format
• EXAMPLES.md - Real-world skill generation examples
• ADVANCED.md - Pattern merging, customization
• CONFIGURATION.md - Complete config reference
• MULTI_LLM.md - Using with GPT, Gemini, etc.

Part of the Ecosystem

Cortex → Remembers everything Synapse → Analyzes and generates Generated skills → Solve specific problems Skills use Cortex → Pattern detection improves

Synapse makes the system intelligent and self-improving.

---

Synapse - The universal skill recommendation and generation engine