# Build Artifact Index

> Build or rebuild the SDLC artifact index for agent-navigable discovery

- Skill: `jmagly-ai-writing-guide/build-artifact-index` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add jmagly-ai-writing-guide/build-artifact-index`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/jmagly-ai-writing-guide/build-artifact-index/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Product & Planning
- Author: jmagly (https://skillmd.com/u/jmagly-ai-writing-guide)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/jmagly-ai-writing-guide/build-artifact-index

---


# Build Artifact Index

## Task

Build or refresh the artifact index that powers `aiwg index query`, `aiwg index deps`, and `aiwg index stats`. This is the entry point for ensuring agents can discover and navigate project artifacts efficiently.

## Behavior

### Primary: Use `aiwg index build`

```bash
# Standard rebuild (incremental)
aiwg index build

# Full rebuild (ignore cache)
aiwg index build --force

# With progress output
aiwg index build --verbose

# Build every configured graph
aiwg index build --all
```

Report what changed: new artifacts indexed, updated, unchanged, and removed counts.

If the operator explicitly asks for Fortemi Core cache refresh after a
successful build, run:

```bash
aiwg index sync
aiwg index status --json
```

Fortemi Core is the default artifact search backend after sync. Keep the
legacy local backend available behind `--backend local` during the phase-out
window.

### Archived Query Answers

The index includes files in `.aiwg/working/answers/` automatically. These are answers persisted by the `archive-answer` skill and appear in query results and dependency graphs alongside permanent artifacts. Their `status: working` frontmatter field signals they are candidates for promotion to a permanent destination (e.g., `.aiwg/architecture/`, `.aiwg/reports/`). Use the index to find stale working answers that should be promoted or discarded.

### Fallback: Manual Digest Generation

If `aiwg index build` is not available (CLI not installed), fall back to manual scanning:

1. Walk `.aiwg/` for all artifact files
2. Extract titles and short summaries from frontmatter/headings
3. Write digest files to `.aiwg/working/digests/`
4. Generate or update `_index.yaml` with paths, summaries, and timestamps

### Post-Build Verification

After building, verify the index is healthy:

```bash
aiwg index stats --json
aiwg index status --json
```

Report total artifacts indexed, coverage by phase, and any orphaned artifacts.
When a Fortemi Core cache exists, also report whether it is built, stale, and
how many items it contains.

## When to Run

- After creating new SDLC artifacts
- After modifying existing artifact references
- At the start of a new SDLC phase
- When `aiwg index query` returns stale results

## References

- @$AIWG_ROOT/agentic/code/frameworks/sdlc-complete/rules/artifact-discovery.md — Agent protocol rules
- @$AIWG_ROOT/agentic/code/frameworks/sdlc-complete/skills/artifact-lookup/SKILL.md — Query skill
- @$AIWG_ROOT/src/artifacts/cli.ts — CLI implementation