memory-palace

# 🏛️ Memory Palace Skill > *"The filesystem is the mind. Directories are rooms. Files are objects."* The ancient method of loci, adapted for LLMs navigating filesystems. ## The Technique Place knowledge in **locations**. Navigate to **remember**. Each room contains: - **Objects** (files) — artifacts to examine - **Exits** (links) — doors to other rooms - **Atmosphere** — the room's essence ## This IS the Room Skill Memory Palace and [Room](../room/) are deeply connected: | Memory Palace | Room Skill | |---------------|------------| | Location | Directory | | Object | File | | Traversal | Enter/Exit | | Placement | Create file | | Recall | Navigate to | **Memory Palace** = Room + spatial mnemonic intent ## Palace Structure ``` palace/ ├── ENTRY.md # Front door (README) ├── MAP.yml # Navigation overview │ ├── concepts/ # Wing: Ideas │ ├── ROOM.md │ ├── yaml-jazz/ │ └── play-learn-lift/ │ ├── characters/ # Wing: Personas │ ├── ROOM.md │ ├── gardener/ │ └── archivist/ │ └── skills/ # Wing: Capabilities ├── ROOM.md └── ... ``` ## Placing Knowledge To remember something: 1. **Choose a room** — where does this belong? 2. **Create a file** — the object to place 3. **Link it** — connect to related objects 4. **Walk there** — navigate to reinforce ```yaml # palace/concepts/yaml-jazz/ROOM.yml room: name: "YAML Jazz Chamber" contains: - "jazz-principles.md" # Core ideas - "examples/" # Sub-room of examples exits: parent: "../" related: "../play-learn-lift/" atmosphere: "improvisational, semantic" ``` ## Core Files ### ENTRY.md The front door to your palace: ```markdown # Palace Name ## Welcome What this palace contains and why. ## Quick Navigation - [Room A](room-a/ROOM.md) - Description - [Room B](room-b/ROOM.md) - Description ## Recent Activity - Added X to Room A - Created new Room C ``` ### MAP.yml Navigation structure: ```yaml palace: name: "Research Palace" created: "2025-12-30" rooms: - name: "foundations" path: "foundations/" description: "Core concepts" connects_to: ["applications", "history"] - name: "applications" path: "applications/" description: "Practical uses" connects_to: ["foundations", "examples"] landmarks: - name: "The Big Question" location: "foundations/core-question.md" importance: "Start here" ``` ### ROOM.md (in each room) ```markdown # Room Name ## What's Here Description of this room's contents. ## Artifacts - [artifact-1.md](artifact-1.md) - Description ## Doors - ← Back to [Entry](../ENTRY.md) - → Forward to [Next Room](../next-room/ROOM.md) ## Notes Observations, questions, TODOs for this room. ``` ## Navigation Commands | Intent | Action | |--------|--------| | "Enter the palace" | Read ENTRY.md | | "Look around" | ls current directory | | "Go to room X" | cd to room, read ROOM.md | | "Examine artifact" | Read the file | | "Leave a note" | Create/update .meta.yml | | "Create new room" | mkdir + create ROOM.md | | "Check the map" | Read MAP.yml | | "Where am I?" | Note current path | ## Lifecycle ### Create - mkdir palace root - create ENTRY.md - create MAP.yml - create initial rooms ### Expand - create new room directory - add ROOM.md - update MAP.yml - link from related rooms ### Maintain - update MAP.yml periodically - add cross-references - archive stale rooms - create summaries ### Archive - move to attic/ - note in MAP.yml - update links ## Tips 1. **Start small** — Begin with 3-5 rooms, expand as needed 2. **Name meaningfully** — Directory names are addresses 3. **Link generously** — Cross-references aid recall 4. **Leave breadcrumbs** — Update .meta.yml as you explore 5. **Maintain the map** — MAP.yml is your table of contents 6. **Archive, don't delete** — Move stale rooms to attic/ ## Integration | Skill | Relationship | |-------|--------------| | [room](../room/) | Memory Palace IS Room + spatial mnemonic intent | | [adventure](../adventure/) | Adventure IS Room + narrative quest framing | | [card](../card/) | Objects placed in rooms can be cards | | [soul-chat](../soul-chat/) | Palace rooms can speak, guide visitors | | [summarize](../summarize/) | Compress palace knowledge for context |