Placement

Placement

Decides the directory parameter for a Basic Memory write_note call before it runs. Reads project and global config (basic-memory.md), then applies a short-circuit decision flow.

When to Use

This skill is invoked automatically by a PreToolUse hook (matcher: mcp__.*__write_note) that catches any MCP basic-memory variant — local, cloud, or claude.ai connector. You can also invoke it directly when planning a write.

Inputs: the note's title and content (already drafted), and the active project name.

Steps (stop at first match)

1. Read configs (project then global; reuse if cached in this conversation).
   • Project: read_note(project, "basic-memory") — extract ## Placements section if present
   • Global: ~/.basic-memory/basic-memory.md — extract ## Placements. Look for ### <project-name> first, then bare content under the H2.
2. If config gives a definitive answer → use it. Stop.
3. List the project tree via list_directory. If a folder is a clear topic match → use it. Stop.
4. Follow precedent. If similar notes already live at a specific location (root or a folder) — even if no folder name is a perfect topic match — place the new note there. Use search_notes to find the precedent if needed. Stop.
5. Only ask the user if there is no config rule, no clear topic-matching folder, AND no precedent. Don't ask just because nothing is a perfect topic match — precedent is enough.

Defaults (apply when no rule speaks)

• Match by topic against existing folders.
• Follow precedent: if similar notes already live at a location, place there without asking.
• Never create new folders silently. Ask before creating.
• Avoid catch-all folders (misc/, notes/, tmp/) unless they already exist.
• Match the project's existing depth and naming convention.
• Never use date-based or type-based folders unless the project already does.

Caching

If you have already read the project's basic-memory note or ~/.basic-memory/basic-memory.md earlier in this conversation, reuse what you have. Re-read only after a known config change in the conversation (e.g., the user just edited it).

Output

Set the directory parameter on the pending write_note call. If the project's naming convention differs from the proposed slug, also adjust the title to match.

If placement is ambiguous (multiple plausible folders, or no fit), ask the user before proceeding. Do not guess.

Scope

This skill decides where a note goes. It does not:

• Decide whether to write the note (that's a separate concern)
• Redirect to edit_note for updates (placement only sets directory on write_note)
• Validate format or schema (those are separate concerns)
• Create folders silently

Config file reference

The unified basic-memory.md config file uses this structure. H2 sections are categories. H3 sub-sections under an H2 are project-specific overrides; bare content under an H2 is the default for that category.

# Basic Memory config

## Projects
- work: default project for daily work
- personal: personal notes and reflections
- research: long-form research notes

## Placements
- Place into existing folders by topic match
- Never create new top-level folders without asking
- Match the project's existing naming convention
- Default depth: 1-2 levels; avoid deeper unless content demands it

### research
- Long-form notes go in `papers/`
- Quick references go in `refs/`
- Reading lists go in `reading-lists/`

## Formats
- Required frontmatter: title, type, date
- Observation categories: fact, decision, technique, problem, solution

## Schemas
### work
person:
  - name
  - email
  - role

project:
  - name
  - status
  - owner

For more context on the config schema, see PLUGIN.md.