Global Knowledge Skill
Your past solved problems, searchable from any project.
Knowledge Types
| Type | Prefix | Purpose | Lifespan | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern | GK-* | Reusable solution, proven in 2+ projects | Long-term | GK-error-handling-patterns.md |
| Insight | GI-* | Timestamped observation, may not generalize | Medium-term | GI-react-hooks-gotcha-2026-01-24.md |
Key distinction: A pattern is abstracted and proven. An insight is specific and dated. Insights may be promoted to patterns after validation.
Commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
/knowledge <query> | Search patterns + insights |
/saveinsight | Capture learning from current session |
/promote | Promote local knowledge to global pattern |
/knowledgestatus | Check GK health and stats |
Memory System Differentiation (VS Code 1.109+)
Alex uses two complementary memory systems. Use the right one for the right data:
Copilot Memory (GitHub Cloud)
Cloud-synced preferences and personal context. Use for:
| Data | Example | Why Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Preferences | "Use 4 spaces, dark mode" | Same across all machines |
| Coding Style | "Prefer functional components" | Consistent patterns |
| Learning Goals | "Master K8s by March" | Personal growth tracking |
| Session Notes | "Finish auth tests tomorrow" | Cross-session reminders |
Characteristics:
- •☁️ Syncs across all machines automatically
- •👤 Personal to GitHub account
- •🔒 Encrypted at rest
- •💬 Accessible via natural language in chat
Global Knowledge (~/.alex/)
Local domain knowledge and project learnings. Use for:
| Data | Example | Why Local |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Expertise | "How OAuth2 works in our system" | Project-specific, detailed |
| Patterns (GK-*) | "Rate limiting implementation" | Searchable, categorized |
| Insights (GI-*) | "Fixed N+1 query with eager load" | Timestamped learnings |
| Session History | Episodic meditation records | Full context preserved |
Characteristics:
- •💾 Local storage, you control the data
- •🔍 Full-text searchable via MCP tools
- •📁 Organized in patterns/ and insights/
- •🔗 Synaptic connections between items
Decision Matrix
| Question | Copilot Memory | Global Knowledge |
|---|---|---|
| Is this personal preference? | ✅ | |
| Is this project know-how? | ✅ | |
| Should it sync to new machines? | ✅ | |
| Does it need full-text search? | ✅ | |
| Is it a learning goal? | ✅ | |
| Is it a pattern/solution? | ✅ |
Integration Workflow
code
User learns something → Is it personal? → Copilot Memory
→ Is it shareable? → Global Knowledge (GI-*)
→ Is it reusable? → Global Knowledge (GK-*)
No duplication: Each piece of information lives in ONE system.
Promotion Candidate Patterns
When scanning project knowledge for promotion candidates, use these patterns to identify high-value content:
🎯 Strong Promotion Signals
| Pattern | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-project applicability | Would 3+ other projects benefit? | Error handling strategy that works anywhere |
| Resolution pattern | Solved problem with concrete solution | "N+1 query fixed with eager loading" |
| Hard-won gotchas | Prevents repeat mistakes | "Jest timers require runAllTimers() after async" |
| Architecture with rationale | ADR-style decisions with "why" | "Chose event sourcing because..." |
| Pipeline/workflow patterns | Automatable processes | CI/CD template, release flow |
| Integration patterns | How systems connect | OAuth flow, API gateway setup |
| Migration patterns | Version/format transformations | "Upgrading from v3 to v4 schema" |
| Schema/format patterns | Data structures that work | Synapse JSON schema, config templates |
❌ Anti-Promotion Signals
| Signal | Why Skip | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Project-specific config | Only works in one context | "Our AWS account settings" |
| Temporary workarounds | Will be obsolete | "Hack until v2.0 releases" |
| Personal preferences | Not generalizable | "I like 4 spaces" |
| Incomplete/draft content | Needs validation | Work-in-progress notes |
| Already in GK | Avoid duplicates | Check index.json first |
| Too specific names/IDs | Not portable | Hardcoded team names, repo URLs |
Automated Scoring (Score ≥5 = Candidate)
The extension evaluates skill files with this scoring:
| Criteria | Points | Detection |
|---|---|---|
| Has synapses | +3 | Synapse format in content |
| Well-structured (3+ H2 sections) | +2 | ## Section headings |
| Has tags defined | +1 | **Tags**: tag1, tag2 |
| Substantial content (>1KB) | +1 | File size |
| Rich content (>5KB) | +2 | File size |
| Has code examples | +2 | Code blocks in content |
| General applicability | +1-3 | Contains: pattern, best practice, guideline, framework, principle, architecture |
Minimum for auto-promotion: Score ≥ 5
Quick Decision Tree
code
Is this knowledge? ├── Personal preference → Copilot Memory (not GK) ├── Project-specific config → Keep in project skills ├── Would I search for this in another project? │ ├── No → Keep in project skills │ └── Yes → Continue... │ ├── Is it a reusable solution? → Pattern (GK-*) │ └── Is it a timestamped learning? → Insight (GI-*)
Real Examples from Curation
These patterns were identified during cross-project knowledge curation:
Promoted as Patterns (GK-*):
- •
GK-kill-switch-pattern-protecting-master-alex.md— Safety mechanism applicable to any critical system - •
GK-synapse-schema-2026-standard.md— Data format standard for the entire architecture - •
GK-domain-knowledge-azure-synapse-pipeline-.md— ETL patterns for data engineering
Promoted as Insights (GI-*):
- •
GI-agent-consolidation-pattern-kiss-merge-2026-02-09.md— Lesson from merging duplicate agents - •
GI-schema-migration-discrimination-flag-vs-change-2026-02-09.md— Distinguishing migration types - •
GI-post-upgrade-verification-checklist-2026-02-09.md— Checklist developed after failed upgrade
Source Priority for Promotion
When curating from multiple projects:
| Source Type | Priority | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Master Alex episodic memories | Highest | Core cognitive learnings |
| Production project skill files | High | Battle-tested knowledge |
| Platform heir skill files | Medium | May have implementation-specific details |
| Research/experimental projects | Lower | May not be validated |
| Archive content | Lowest | May be outdated |
Promotion Workflow Commands
code
@alex /promote # Interactive promotion from project DK @alex /saveinsight # Quick insight capture @alex /knowledgestatus # Check current GK health @alex /knowledge <query> # Search before adding (avoid duplicates)
Synapses
Synapse: heir-skill-promotion.instructions.md (0.9, procedural, bidirectional) — "How skills move from heirs to Master" Synapse: global-knowledge-curation.instructions.md (0.85, procedural, bidirectional) — "Periodic cleanup and implementation" Synapse: unified-meditation-protocols.prompt.md (0.8, episodic, forward) — "Auto-promotion during meditation"