---

name: knowns.task.extract description: Use when extracting reusable patterns, solutions, or knowledge from completed tasks into documentation

Extracting Knowledge from Tasks

Convert task-specific implementations into reusable project documentation.

Announce at start: "I'm using the knowns.task.extract skill to extract knowledge from task [ID]."

Core principle: ONLY EXTRACT GENERALIZABLE KNOWLEDGE.

The Process

Step 1: Review Completed Task

Copyknowns task $ARGUMENTS --plain

Look for:

• Implementation patterns used
• Problems solved
• Decisions made
• Lessons learned

Step 2: Identify Extractable Knowledge

Good candidates for extraction:

• Reusable code patterns
• Error handling approaches
• Integration patterns
• Performance solutions
• Security practices
• API design decisions

NOT good for extraction:

• Task-specific details
• One-time fixes
• Context-dependent solutions

Step 3: Search for Existing Docs

Copy# Check if pattern already documented
knowns search "<pattern/topic>" --type doc --plain

# List related docs
knowns doc list --tag pattern --plain

Don't duplicate. Update existing docs when possible.

Step 4: Create or Update Documentation

If new pattern - create doc:

Copyknowns doc create "Pattern: <Name>" \
  -d "Reusable pattern for <purpose>" \
  -t "pattern,<domain>" \
  -f "patterns"

Add content:

Copyknowns doc edit "patterns/<name>" -c "$(cat <<'EOF'
# Pattern: <Name>

## 1. Problem
What problem this pattern solves.

## 2. Solution
How to implement the pattern.

## 3. Example
```typescript
// Code example from the task

4. When to Use

• Situation 1
• Situation 2

5. Source

Discovered in @task- EOF )"

Copy
**If updating existing doc:**

```bash
knowns doc edit "<path>" -a "

## Additional: <Topic>

From @task-<id>: <new insight or example>
"

Step 5: Link Back to Task

Copyknowns task edit $ARGUMENTS --append-notes "📚 Extracted to @doc/patterns/<name>"

What to Extract

Document Templates

Pattern Template

Copy# Pattern: <Name>

## Problem
What this solves.

## Solution
How to implement.

## Example
Working code.

## When to Use
When to apply this pattern.

Guide Template

Copy# Guide: <Topic>

## Overview
What this covers.

## Steps
1. Step one
2. Step two

## Common Issues
- Issue and solution

Quality Checklist

• Knowledge is generalizable (not task-specific)
• Includes working example
• Explains when to use
• Links back to source task
• Tagged appropriately

Remember

• Only extract generalizable knowledge
• Search before creating (avoid duplicates)
• Include practical examples
• Reference source task
• Tag docs for discoverability