Alex Global Knowledge Skill
Expert in cross-project knowledge search, pattern recognition, and insight retrieval.
Capabilities
- Search knowledge learned across ALL projects
- Find reusable patterns and solutions
- Retrieve insights from past experiences
- Connect current problems to prior solutions
- Save new insights for future projects
When to Use This Skill
- User asks about patterns or "how I did this before"
- Looking for solutions tried in other projects
- Searching for reusable code patterns
- Saving valuable learnings for future use
- Asking about cross-project experience
Example Prompts
- "Have I solved this error before?"
- "Search my knowledge for authentication patterns"
- "What do I know about rate limiting?"
- "Save this insight for future projects"
- "Find patterns related to caching"
Input Expectations
- Search query or topic
- Type filter: pattern (reusable) or insight (specific learning)
- Category filter (optional): error-handling, api-design, testing, etc.
- Tags filter (optional): technology-specific tags
Output Format
- Matching patterns/insights with relevance
- Source project information
- Application suggestions for current context
- Related knowledge recommendations
Knowledge Types
Patterns (GK-*)
Reusable, generalizable solutions that apply across projects:
- Design patterns
- Error handling strategies
- API conventions
- Testing approaches
Insights (GI-*)
Specific learnings from particular situations:
- Debugging breakthroughs
- Configuration discoveries
- Performance fixes
- Integration solutions
Related Skills
- Meditation - Save insights after sessions
- Architecture Health - Check knowledge health
- Bootstrap Learning - Build new knowledge
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
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.
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