---
name: memory-palace
description: Spatial organization of knowledge in navigable directories
license: MIT
tier: 1
allowed-tools:
  - read_file
  - write_file
  - list_dir
related: [room, character, adventure, research-notebook, summarize, plain-text, honest-forget]
tags: [moollm, spatial, knowledge, navigation, organization]
inputs:
  palace_name:
    type: string
    required: true
    description: Name for this memory palace
  palace_purpose:
    type: string
    required: true
    description: What this palace is for
  initial_rooms:
    type: list
    required: false
    description: Starting room names
outputs:
  - ENTRY.md
  - MAP.yml
  - room directories
templates:
  - ENTRY.md.tmpl
  - MAP.yml.tmpl
  - ROOM.md.tmpl
metaphor:
  palace: directory tree
  room: subdirectory
  artifact: file
  note: .meta.yml sidecar
  door: cross-reference
  map: MAP.yml
  entry: ENTRY.md
working_set:
  hot: [ENTRY.md, MAP.yml]
  warm: ["*/ROOM.md"]
  cold: ["attic/**"]
---

# 🏛️ 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 |