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name: brain-operating-system description: Quick reference for operating within jonmagic's second-brain workspace. Use when working with files in the brain repository—provides directory structure, naming conventions, append-only norms, wikilink patterns, and file organization rules. Essential for understanding where to create files, how to name them, and how to maintain continuity with existing structures.

Brain Operating System

Navigation guide for jonmagic's second-brain workspace covering directory intents, naming conventions, and operational norms.

Directory Map

Other directories (Feedback/, Transcripts/, Templates/, etc.) follow similar patterns—check existing files before adding content.

Naming Conventions

• Filenames: lowercase with hyphens (my-file-name.md)
• Date folders: YYYY-MM-DD format
• Sequential files: When creating multiple related files in same date folder, use numeric prefixes (01-new-angle.md, 02-follow-up.md)
• Prefer appending: Always try to append to existing date folders rather than creating duplicates

Operational Norms

Append-Only Discipline

• Daily Projects, Weekly Notes, Meeting Notes: Always append new entries at top (reverse-chronological)
• Context files (e.g., snippets-context-*.txt, retro-context-*.txt): Always append to end, never edit middle sections
• Snippets, Executive Summaries: Create new files for new time periods

Wikilink Patterns

Use [[...]] wikilinks liberally to connect documents:

• [[Snippets/2025-11-24-to-2025-11-30]]
• [[Projects/spiral-funnel-architecture/README]]
• [[Meeting Notes/alice]]

Thread Awareness

Before editing any document:

1. Scan the last few entries to understand current state
2. Check for linked documents that provide context
3. Maintain chronological or thematic continuity

Minimal Duplication

• If concept exists elsewhere, link to it rather than restating
• Use wikilinks to connect related content
• Consolidate learnings into appropriate long-term documents (Weekly Notes, Projects, etc.)

Workflow Expectations

1. Start in Daily Projects: Kick off new work in Daily Projects/YYYY-MM-DD/
2. Propagate learnings: Copy distilled notes into relevant Weekly Note, Snippet, or Project file
3. Follow breadcrumbs: Use wikilinks to trace decision history
4. Version-friendly: Use Markdown headings, tables, bullet lists; avoid inline HTML

File Creation Decision Tree

Creating a new file?

1. Is it daily execution work? → Daily Projects/YYYY-MM-DD/
2. Is it weekly planning? → Weekly Notes/YYYY-MM-DD/
3. Is it accomplishment tracking? → Snippets/YYYY-MM-DD-to-YYYY-MM-DD.md
4. Is it a meeting record? → Meeting Notes/<person-or-team>.md (append new ## YYYY-MM-DD section)
5. Is it multi-week scope? → Projects/<slug>/
6. Is it feedback? → Feedback/
7. Is it a transcript? → Transcripts/

When in doubt: Start in Daily Projects/YYYY-MM-DD/ and migrate later if it becomes evergreen.