README — Convention Guide

For a new MCP connection, the first operation should be get(key='README'). This README is the canonical documentation entry point; follow its links for detailed guidance instead of relying on the small connection bootstrap.

This document is the short entry point for the public notes-store conventions. Follow links for detailed rules rather than expanding this page.

Start Here

Format Details — JSONHTL block and inline syntax.

Workflow - Creating and Updating Notes — how to plan, create, link, and update notes without partial states.

Avoiding Orphaned Notes and Information Loss — preserve discoverability, metadata, and index links.

Link Curation — recurring, proportionate maintenance for useful navigation and removal of genuine cruft.

Connector index (what each MCP server actually exposes — including misc, whose name doesn't say what it does) is at plugins.

MCP Tools — MCP tools and safe edit strategy for agents.

Metadata Conventions — standard top-level fields and visible routing guidance.

Core Rules

• Read before writing. Preserve existing links, metadata, and domain-specific fields.

• When creating a script or program, its usage message (--help/usage text) should point to its extended documentation note in this system — give the note key so anyone running --help knows where to find fuller docs.

• Create complete child notes first, then link them from their parent and any relevant index.

• Increment version and set updated when changing content.

• Prefer focused notes over large multi-topic documents. Once a topic reaches three or more related notes, promote one to a hub carrying a compact mind map of the thread — see Hubs and Mind Maps. Use it where it earns its keep, not by default.

• For MCP edits, read MCP Note Editing Guide before multi-block or structural changes.

Tooling

Tooling documentation starts at README/tools. Command-line usage is in README/command-line-tools; MCP usage for agents is in README/mcp-tools.

Agent Working Practices

Agent process rules live in Agent Working Practices. Read TRIGGERS to decide which rule notes apply to a task.

Private Store

Private information — including all db.com work and any other sensitive content — belongs in the private notes store, not here. CLI users: connect to the private store at https://www.critchley.biz/private/mcp (MCP: internal 8123, stunnel 18123; REST/HTML: internal 8120, stunnel 18121).

version 16  ·  updated 2026-09-07