---
name: retrieval-reflex
version: 0.1.0
description: When/what to retrieve — open the brain page for a salient entity before answering from memory.
# Reflex-only triggers (#4292): direct lookup questions ("who is", "tell
# me about", ...) route to skills/query — this skill fires on the ambient
# retrieve-before-answering reflex, not on explicit search requests.
triggers:
  - "a named entity becomes the subject of the exchange"
  - "a brain-page pointer appeared in context"
  - "about to assert a detail about an entity from memory"
mutating: false
writes_pages: false
writes_to: []
# MCP op names; over the CLI, traverse_graph/get_backlinks are `gbrain graph` / `gbrain backlinks`
tools: [get_page, query, traverse_graph, get_backlinks]
---

# Retrieval Reflex — retrieve on demand, when an entity is salient

A person doesn't bulk-load their whole address book into working memory. They
retrieve **on demand**, when an entity becomes **salient**, use it, and drop it.
Encode that reflex. The brain probably has the data — if a name is salient and
you haven't opened its page, open it before you answer.

## Trigger policy — WHEN to retrieve

Retrieve when ANY of these holds AND the page isn't already loaded in context:

- An entity (person / company / project / deal / place) is the **subject** of
  the message, or a decision/judgment about it is being made, or the exchange is
  substantive / relational / emotional about it.
- A **brain-page pointer** appeared in context this turn (the deterministic
  layer told you the page exists) — open it before relying on details.
- A name or term appears that you **don't recognize** and that looks notable →
  do a quick resolve (the human reflex).
- You're about to **assert a non-trivial detail** about an entity (attribution,
  status, history) → verify against the brain first. Say "let me check", not a guess.

**Skip** trivial passing mentions, logistics pings, and anything already loaded.
Judgment first — retrieve when it changes the quality of the reply, not reflexively.

## Retrieval spec — WHAT to pull, and when to stop

Escalate only as far as the task needs:

1. **Pointer / metadata.** If a pointer is already in context (slug + one-line
   summary), and the task only needs identity, stop there.
2. **Full page.** When the entity is the subject or details matter, open it:
   `get_page <slug>` (MCP) — read the page before relying on specifics.
3. **Linked neighbors.** Only when relationship context is needed, pull
   `graph` / `backlinks` for the slug.

**Resolve only the name(s) the current task needs, use them, drop them.** No
bulk-loading the inner circle.

## The failure this prevents

If you've discussed a named person for more than a message without opening their
page, open it now. The write side captures everything; the read side only helps
if you actually look.

See also: `skills/query/SKILL.md` (search the brain), `skills/brain-ops/SKILL.md`.