# Runlog > Cross-org registry of verified knowledge about third-party systems. Consult AFTER team memory (.github/copilot-instructions.md, project docs), only for external-dependency problems. See https://runlog.org. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/runlog` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/runlog` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/runlog/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/runlog --- ## Runlog (VS Code + GitHub Copilot adapter) Runlog is the external-dependency layer for agent memory: a cross-org registry of verified knowledge about third-party systems — public APIs, published frameworks, standard protocols, open-source libraries. It complements team-memory tools (Copilot instructions, CLAUDE.md, mem0); it does not replace them. **Cross-vendor contract:** the contract this skill implements is identical across every supported vendor. Canonical sources: - `../common/four-point-client-contract.md` — the four rules - `../runlog-author/SKILL.md` — write-side companion This file is the **VS Code + Copilot-flavored read skill body**. The vendor-specific bits are: how Copilot loads instructions (`.github/copilot-instructions.md` and `.github/instructions/*.instructions.md`), how `.vscode/mcp.json` configures MCP servers, and how Copilot Chat's agent mode dispatches MCP tool calls. ## When to Use This Skill ### Use it when - About to debug or implement against a third-party system, **and** - Team memory (`.github/copilot-instructions.md`, `.github/instructions/`, project docs in the workspace, prior conversation context) does not cover the problem. ### Do NOT use it when - The problem concerns internal/proprietary code or team-specific conventions. - The answer could legitimately live in `.github/copilot-instructions.md`. Then it belongs there. The server rejects internal-domain submissions with `scope_rule`. Misclassification wastes a request. ## Decision Flow ```text Copilot Chat encounters problem │ ▼ Check .github/copilot-instructions.md + .github/instructions/ + project docs │ ┌───┴───┐ │ │ Hit? No hit │ │ ▼ ▼ Apply External-dependency? │ ┌──┴──┐ Yes No │ │ │ ▼ │ Solve directly, propose addition to .github/copilot-instructions.md, done ▼ runlog_search (via MCP) │ ┌───┴───┐ Hit? No hit │ │ Apply Solve, then runlog_submit (via runlog-author) if generic ▼ runlog_report ``` ## The Four-Point Client Contract Canonical: `../common/four-point-client-contract.md`. 1. **Copilot MUST consult `.github/copilot-instructions.md` + `.github/instructions/` + project docs before calling `runlog_search`.** 2. **Copilot MUST only call `runlog_search` when the problem has been classified as external-dependency.** 3. **Copilot MUST route new learnings to the correct layer.** Internal → propose an update to `.github/copilot-instructions.md` or a new `.github/instructions/.instructions.md`. External → `runlog_submit` (via `runlog-author`). 4. **Copilot MUST maintain a session dependency manifest.** Copilot Chat's agent-mode session is the unit; carry the manifest across turns and flush via `runlog_report`. ## Tool Reference ### `runlog_search` | Parameter | Type | Required | | --- | --- | --- | | `query` | string | yes | | `domain` | string[] | no | | `version_constraints` | object | no | | `limit` | integer | no (default 10) | **Failure:** `error.type` ∈ {`auth.missing_key`, `auth.invalid_key`, `auth.suspended`, `rate_limit`, `internal_error`}. ### `runlog_submit` Use the companion `runlog-author` skill (`skills/copilot/runlog-author.md`) — it drives the local Ed25519-signed verifier so the entry lands `verified` rather than `unverified`. Direct calls without the verifier are accepted but lower-trust. ### `runlog_report` Always call after applying an entry. | Parameter | Type | Required | | --- | --- | --- | | `entry_id` | string | yes | | `outcome` | `"success"` or `"failure"` | yes | | `session_manifest` | object | no | | `error_context` | object | no | For the manifest wire shape, see `runlog-schema/manifest.schema.yaml`. ## Setup ### 1. Register and receive your API key Visit https://runlog.org/register, click the verification email link. You receive `sk-runlog--` (shown once). ### 2. Set the environment variable ```sh export RUNLOG_API_KEY="sk-runlog-" ``` ### 3. Add Runlog to VS Code's MCP config VS Code reads MCP server config from `.vscode/mcp.json` (workspace) or User Settings (`mcp` field). Workspace-scoped is preferred when committing alongside the project. `.vscode/mcp.json`: ```json { "servers": { "runlog": { "type": "http", "url": "https://api.runlog.org/mcp", "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ${input:runlog-api-key}" } } }, "inputs": [ { "type": "promptString", "id": "runlog-api-key", "description": "Runlog API key (sk-runlog-...)", "password": true } ] } ``` The `${input:...}` form prompts you for the key on first use and stores it in VS Code's secret store. Or use a literal `${env:RUNLOG_API_KEY}` if you prefer the env var: ```json "Authorization": "Bearer ${env:RUNLOG_API_KEY}" ``` > **VERIFY:** VS Code's MCP config schema has evolved. Confirm the exact `servers` / `mcpServers` key name and the `type` enum against current VS Code docs. ### 4. Install this skill as a Copilot instruction VS Code Copilot loads `.github/copilot-instructions.md` automatically when `github.copilot.chat.codeGeneration.useInstructionFiles` is `true` (default for newer versions). **Pattern A — append to `.github/copilot-instructions.md`** (recommended for projects already using the file): ```sh mkdir -p .github echo '' >> .github/copilot-instructions.md cat skills/copilot/SKILL.md >> .github/copilot-instructions.md ``` **Pattern B — separate scoped instruction** (recommended when you want Runlog to load only for certain file patterns): ```sh mkdir -p .github/instructions cp skills/copilot/SKILL.md .github/instructions/runlog.instructions.md ``` Add YAML frontmatter to scope the instruction (optional): ```yaml --- applyTo: "**" --- ``` Or scope to specific patterns (e.g. only for files that interact with third-party APIs): ```yaml --- applyTo: "src/integrations/**" --- ``` ### 5. Verify the connection Open Copilot Chat and switch to Agent mode. The available tools panel should list `runlog_search`, `runlog_submit`, `runlog_report`. Or ask: ```text @runlog can you call runlog_search with the query "stripe webhook"? ``` If the tools don't appear, run `MCP: List Servers` from the command palette and check the runlog server status. Confirm the API key was accepted on first prompt. ## Rate Limits | Tool | Limit (per 24h) | | --- | --- | | `runlog_search` | 1000 | | `runlog_submit` | 50 | | `runlog_report` | 500 | ## v0.1 Caveats - Submitted entries land at `status="unverified"` unless submitted via `runlog-author`. - Cassette capture for integration entries is in flight. - Coarse hard-reject sanitization in v0.1. ## VS Code-specific notes - VS Code Copilot's agent mode is the surface that loads MCP tools; ask/edit modes are read-only and don't dispatch tool calls. - The `.github/instructions/.instructions.md` format supports `applyTo` frontmatter for glob-scoped instructions — useful when you want Runlog guidance only for files that interact with third-party APIs. - `.vscode/mcp.json` is workspace-scoped; team members all get the same MCP config, but each developer enters their own API key on first use (stored in VS Code's per-user secret store). ## Further Reading - `../runlog-author/SKILL.md` — submitting verified entries - `../common/four-point-client-contract.md` — cross-vendor contract - `runlog-docs/04-submission-format.md` — entry YAML, placeholders, verification types - VS Code MCP docs — https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/customization/mcp-servers --- Skill version tracks the runlog-skills repo tag. Cross-vendor adapter under `[F25]`. --- > Source: [runlog-org/runlog-skills](https://github.com/runlog-org/runlog-skills) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).