feat: add MemPalace Claude Code plugin with hooks and instructions

- Introduced README.md for plugin overview and installation instructions.
- Added hooks configuration in hooks.json for auto-save and pre-compact functionality.
- Implemented stop and pre-compact hooks in bash scripts for memory management.
- Created marketplace.json and plugin.json for plugin metadata and versioning.
- Developed skills and instructions for help, init, mine, search, and status functionalities.
- Added CLI commands for executing hooks and displaying skill instructions.
- Implemented hooks_cli.py for handling hook logic and JSON input/output.
- Enhanced instruction files for user guidance on setup and usage.
- Updated .gitignore to exclude additional files.
- Created GitHub Actions workflow for syncing plugin version on push.

.claude-plugin/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# MemPalace Claude Code Plugin
+
+A Claude Code plugin that gives your AI a persistent memory system. Mine projects and conversations into a searchable palace backed by ChromaDB, with 19 MCP tools, auto-save hooks, and 5 guided skills.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Python 3.9+
+
+## Installation
+
+### Claude Code Marketplace
+
+```bash
+claude plugin add mempalace
+```
+
+### Git
+
+```bash
+claude plugin add --git https://github.com/milla-jovovich/mempalace
+```
+
+### Local Clone
+
+```bash
+claude plugin add /path/to/mempalace
+```
+
+## Post-Install Setup
+
+After installing the plugin, run the init command to complete setup (pip install, MCP configuration, etc.):
+
+```
+/mempalace:init
+```
+
+## Available Slash Commands
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `/mempalace:help` | Show available tools, skills, and architecture |
+| `/mempalace:init` | Set up MemPalace -- install, configure MCP, onboard |
+| `/mempalace:search` | Search your memories across the palace |
+| `/mempalace:mine` | Mine projects and conversations into the palace |
+| `/mempalace:status` | Show palace overview -- wings, rooms, drawer counts |
+
+## Hooks
+
+MemPalace registers two hooks that run automatically:
+
+- **Stop** -- Saves conversation context when a session ends.
+- **PreCompact** -- Preserves important memories before context compaction.
+
+## MCP Server
+
+The plugin automatically configures a local MCP server with 19 tools for storing, searching, and managing memories. No manual MCP setup is required -- `/mempalace:init` handles everything.
+
+## Full Documentation
+
+See the main [README](../README.md) for complete documentation, architecture details, and advanced usage.

.claude-plugin/hooks/hooks.json

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+{
+  "description": "MemPalace auto-save and pre-compact hooks",
+  "hooks": {
+    "Stop": [
+      {
+        "hooks": [
+          {
+            "type": "command",
+            "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/hooks/mempal-stop-hook.sh"
+          }
+        ]
+      }
+    ],
+    "PreCompact": [
+      {
+        "hooks": [
+          {
+            "type": "command",
+            "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/hooks/mempal-precompact-hook.sh"
+          }
+        ]
+      }
+    ]
+  }
+}

.claude-plugin/hooks/mempal-precompact-hook.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# MemPalace PreCompact Hook — thin wrapper calling Python CLI
+# All logic lives in mempalace.hooks_cli for cross-harness extensibility
+INPUT=$(cat)
+echo "$INPUT" | python3 -m mempalace hook run --hook precompact --harness claude-code

.claude-plugin/hooks/mempal-stop-hook.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# MemPalace Stop Hook — thin wrapper calling Python CLI
+# All logic lives in mempalace.hooks_cli for cross-harness extensibility
+INPUT=$(cat)
+echo "$INPUT" | python3 -m mempalace hook run --hook stop --harness claude-code

.claude-plugin/marketplace.json

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+{
+  "name": "mempalace",
+  "owner": {
+    "name": "milla-jovovich",
+    "url": "https://github.com/milla-jovovich"
+  },
+  "plugins": [
+    {
+      "name": "mempalace",
+      "source": ".",
+      "description": "AI memory system — mine projects and conversations into a searchable palace. 19 MCP tools, auto-save hooks, guided setup.",
+      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "author": {
+        "name": "milla-jovovich"
+      }
+    }
+  ]
+}

.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+{
+  "name": "mempalace",
+  "version": "3.0.0",
+  "description": "Give your AI a memory — mine projects and conversations into a searchable palace. 19 MCP tools, auto-save hooks, and guided setup.",
+  "author": { "name": "milla-jovovich" },
+  "license": "MIT",
+  "hooks": {
+    "Stop": "hooks/mempal-stop-hook.sh",
+    "PreCompact": "hooks/mempal-precompact-hook.sh"
+  },
+  "skills": [
+    { "name": "init", "file": "skills/init/SKILL.md" },
+    { "name": "search", "file": "skills/search/SKILL.md" },
+    { "name": "mine", "file": "skills/mine/SKILL.md" },
+    { "name": "help", "file": "skills/help/SKILL.md" },
+    { "name": "status", "file": "skills/status/SKILL.md" }
+  ],
+  "commands": [
+    { "name": "mempalace:help", "description": "Show MemPalace help — available tools, skills, architecture", "skill": "help" },
+    { "name": "mempalace:init", "description": "Set up MemPalace — install, configure MCP, onboard", "skill": "init" },
+    { "name": "mempalace:search", "description": "Search your memories across the palace", "skill": "search" },
+    { "name": "mempalace:mine", "description": "Mine projects and conversations into the palace", "skill": "mine" },
+    { "name": "mempalace:status", "description": "Show palace overview — wings, rooms, drawer counts", "skill": "status" }
+  ],
+  "mcp": {
+    "mempalace": {
+      "command": "python3",
+      "args": ["-m", "mempalace.mcp_server"]
+    }
+  },
+  "keywords": ["memory", "ai", "rag", "mcp", "chromadb", "palace", "search"],
+  "repository": { "type": "git", "url": "https://github.com/milla-jovovich/mempalace" }
+}

.claude-plugin/skills/help/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+name: help
+description: Show comprehensive MemPalace help — available skills, MCP tools, CLI commands, hooks, and architecture.
+---
+
+Run the following command and display its output to the user:
+
+```bash
+mempalace instructions help
+```
+
+Display the output as-is — it's pre-formatted markdown.

.claude-plugin/skills/init/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+name: init
+description: Set up MemPalace — install the package, initialize a palace, configure MCP server, and verify everything works.
+---
+
+Run the following command to get setup instructions, then follow them step by step:
+
+```bash
+mempalace instructions init
+```
+
+If the command fails (mempalace not installed yet), first install it:
+
+```bash
+pip install mempalace
+```
+
+Then run the instructions command again and follow the output.

.claude-plugin/skills/mine/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+name: mine
+description: Mine projects and conversations into the MemPalace. Supports project files, conversation exports, and auto-classification.
+---
+
+Run the following command to get mining instructions, then follow them:
+
+```bash
+mempalace instructions mine
+```
+
+Follow the returned instructions to mine the user's data.

.claude-plugin/skills/search/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+name: search
+description: Search your memories across the MemPalace using semantic search with wing/room filtering.
+---
+
+Run the following command to get search instructions, then follow them:
+
+```bash
+mempalace instructions search
+```
+
+Follow the returned instructions to execute the user's search query.

.claude-plugin/skills/status/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+name: status
+description: Show the current state of your memory palace — wings, rooms, drawer counts, and suggestions.
+---
+
+Run the following command to get status instructions, then follow them:
+
+```bash
+mempalace instructions status
+```
+
+Follow the returned instructions to display the palace status.

.github/workflows/bump-plugin-version.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+name: Sync Plugin Version
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+
+jobs:
+  sync-version:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+
+      - name: Extract version from version.py
+        id: version
+        run: |
+          VERSION=$(python3 -c "exec(open('mempalace/version.py').read()); print(__version__)")
+          echo "version=$VERSION" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Update plugin.json
+        run: |
+          jq --arg v "${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}" '.version = $v' .claude-plugin/plugin.json > tmp.json && mv tmp.json .claude-plugin/plugin.json
+
+      - name: Update marketplace.json
+        run: |
+          jq --arg v "${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}" '.plugins[0].version = $v' .claude-plugin/marketplace.json > tmp.json && mv tmp.json .claude-plugin/marketplace.json
+
+      - name: Commit if changed
+        run: |
+          git config user.name "github-actions[bot]"
+          git config user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+          git add .claude-plugin/plugin.json .claude-plugin/marketplace.json
+          git diff --staged --quiet || git commit -m "chore: sync plugin version to ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}" && git push

.gitignore

@@ -5,3 +5,4 @@ __pycache__/
 *.pyc
 .pytest_cache/
 mempal.yaml
+.a5c/

mempalace/cli.py

@@ -226,6 +226,20 @@ def cmd_repair(args):
     print(f"\n{'=' * 55}\n")
 
 
+def cmd_hook(args):
+    """Run hook logic: reads JSON from stdin, outputs JSON to stdout."""
+    from .hooks_cli import run_hook
+
+    run_hook(hook_name=args.hook, harness=args.harness)
+
+
+def cmd_instructions(args):
+    """Output skill instructions to stdout."""
+    from .instructions_cli import run_instructions
+
+    run_instructions(name=args.name)
+
+
 def cmd_compress(args):
     """Compress drawers in a wing using AAAK Dialect."""
     import chromadb
@@ -451,6 +465,35 @@ def main():
         help="Only split files containing at least N sessions (default: 2)",
     )
 
+    # hook
+    p_hook = sub.add_parser(
+        "hook",
+        help="Run hook logic (reads JSON from stdin, outputs JSON to stdout)",
+    )
+    hook_sub = p_hook.add_subparsers(dest="hook_action")
+    p_hook_run = hook_sub.add_parser("run", help="Execute a hook")
+    p_hook_run.add_argument(
+        "--hook",
+        required=True,
+        choices=["stop", "precompact"],
+        help="Hook name to run",
+    )
+    p_hook_run.add_argument(
+        "--harness",
+        required=True,
+        choices=["claude-code"],
+        help="Harness type (determines stdin JSON format)",
+    )
+
+    # instructions
+    p_instructions = sub.add_parser(
+        "instructions",
+        help="Output skill instructions to stdout",
+    )
+    instructions_sub = p_instructions.add_subparsers(dest="instructions_name")
+    for instr_name in ["init", "search", "mine", "help", "status"]:
+        instructions_sub.add_parser(instr_name, help=f"Output {instr_name} instructions")
+
     # repair
     sub.add_parser(
         "repair",
@@ -466,6 +509,23 @@ def main():
         parser.print_help()
         return
 
+    # Handle two-level subcommands
+    if args.command == "hook":
+        if not getattr(args, "hook_action", None):
+            p_hook.print_help()
+            return
+        cmd_hook(args)
+        return
+
+    if args.command == "instructions":
+        name = getattr(args, "instructions_name", None)
+        if not name:
+            p_instructions.print_help()
+            return
+        args.name = name
+        cmd_instructions(args)
+        return
+
     dispatch = {
         "init": cmd_init,
         "mine": cmd_mine,

mempalace/hooks_cli.py

@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+"""
+Hook logic for MemPalace — Python implementation of stop and precompact hooks.
+
+Reads JSON from stdin, outputs JSON to stdout.
+Supported hooks: stop, precompact
+Supported harnesses: claude-code (extensible to cursor, gemini, etc.)
+"""
+
+import json
+import os
+import re
+import subprocess
+import sys
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+SAVE_INTERVAL = 15
+STATE_DIR = Path.home() / ".mempalace" / "hook_state"
+
+STOP_BLOCK_REASON = (
+    "AUTO-SAVE checkpoint. Save key topics, decisions, quotes, and code "
+    "from this session to your memory system. Organize into appropriate "
+    "categories. Use verbatim quotes where possible. Continue conversation "
+    "after saving."
+)
+
+PRECOMPACT_BLOCK_REASON = (
+    "COMPACTION IMMINENT. Save ALL topics, decisions, quotes, code, and "
+    "important context from this session to your memory system. Be thorough "
+    "\u2014 after compaction, detailed context will be lost. Organize into "
+    "appropriate categories. Use verbatim quotes where possible. Save "
+    "everything, then allow compaction to proceed."
+)
+
+
+def _sanitize_session_id(session_id: str) -> str:
+    """Only allow alnum, dash, underscore to prevent path traversal."""
+    sanitized = re.sub(r"[^a-zA-Z0-9_-]", "", session_id)
+    return sanitized or "unknown"
+
+
+def _count_human_messages(transcript_path: str) -> int:
+    """Count human messages in a JSONL transcript, skipping command-messages."""
+    path = Path(transcript_path).expanduser()
+    if not path.is_file():
+        return 0
+    count = 0
+    try:
+        with open(path) as f:
+            for line in f:
+                try:
+                    entry = json.loads(line)
+                    msg = entry.get("message", {})
+                    if isinstance(msg, dict) and msg.get("role") == "user":
+                        content = msg.get("content", "")
+                        if isinstance(content, str) and "<command-message>" in content:
+                            continue
+                        count += 1
+                except (json.JSONDecodeError, AttributeError):
+                    pass
+    except OSError:
+        return 0
+    return count
+
+
+def _log(message: str):
+    """Append to hook state log file."""
+    try:
+        STATE_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        log_path = STATE_DIR / "hook.log"
+        timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%H:%M:%S")
+        with open(log_path, "a") as f:
+            f.write(f"[{timestamp}] {message}\n")
+    except OSError:
+        pass
+
+
+def _output(data: dict):
+    """Print JSON to stdout with consistent formatting (pretty-printed)."""
+    print(json.dumps(data, indent=2, ensure_ascii=False))
+
+
+def _maybe_auto_ingest():
+    """If MEMPAL_DIR is set and exists, run mempalace mine in background."""
+    mempal_dir = os.environ.get("MEMPAL_DIR", "")
+    if mempal_dir and os.path.isdir(mempal_dir):
+        try:
+            log_path = STATE_DIR / "hook.log"
+            with open(log_path, "a") as log_f:
+                subprocess.Popen(
+                    [sys.executable, "-m", "mempalace", "mine", mempal_dir],
+                    stdout=log_f,
+                    stderr=log_f,
+                )
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+
+def _parse_claude_code_input(data: dict) -> dict:
+    """Parse stdin JSON for the claude-code harness."""
+    return {
+        "session_id": _sanitize_session_id(str(data.get("session_id", "unknown"))),
+        "stop_hook_active": data.get("stop_hook_active", False),
+        "transcript_path": str(data.get("transcript_path", "")),
+    }
+
+
+def _parse_harness_input(data: dict, harness: str) -> dict:
+    """Parse stdin JSON according to the harness type."""
+    parsers = {
+        "claude-code": _parse_claude_code_input,
+    }
+    parser = parsers.get(harness)
+    if parser is None:
+        print(f"Unknown harness: {harness}", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+    return parser(data)
+
+
+def hook_stop(data: dict, harness: str):
+    """Stop hook: block every N messages for auto-save."""
+    parsed = _parse_harness_input(data, harness)
+    session_id = parsed["session_id"]
+    stop_hook_active = parsed["stop_hook_active"]
+    transcript_path = parsed["transcript_path"]
+
+    # If already in a save cycle, let through (infinite-loop prevention)
+    if stop_hook_active in (True, "True", "true"):
+        _output({})
+        return
+
+    # Count human messages
+    exchange_count = _count_human_messages(transcript_path)
+
+    # Track last save point
+    STATE_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    last_save_file = STATE_DIR / f"{session_id}_last_save"
+    last_save = 0
+    if last_save_file.is_file():
+        try:
+            last_save = int(last_save_file.read_text().strip())
+        except (ValueError, OSError):
+            last_save = 0
+
+    since_last = exchange_count - last_save
+
+    _log(f"Session {session_id}: {exchange_count} exchanges, {since_last} since last save")
+
+    if since_last >= SAVE_INTERVAL and exchange_count > 0:
+        # Update last save point
+        try:
+            last_save_file.write_text(str(exchange_count))
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+        _log(f"TRIGGERING SAVE at exchange {exchange_count}")
+
+        # Optional: auto-ingest if MEMPAL_DIR is set
+        _maybe_auto_ingest()
+
+        _output({"decision": "block", "reason": STOP_BLOCK_REASON})
+    else:
+        _output({})
+
+
+def hook_precompact(data: dict, harness: str):
+    """Precompact hook: always block with comprehensive save instruction."""
+    parsed = _parse_harness_input(data, harness)
+    session_id = parsed["session_id"]
+
+    _log(f"PRE-COMPACT triggered for session {session_id}")
+
+    # Optional: auto-ingest synchronously before compaction (so memories land first)
+    mempal_dir = os.environ.get("MEMPAL_DIR", "")
+    if mempal_dir and os.path.isdir(mempal_dir):
+        try:
+            log_path = STATE_DIR / "hook.log"
+            with open(log_path, "a") as log_f:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    [sys.executable, "-m", "mempalace", "mine", mempal_dir],
+                    stdout=log_f,
+                    stderr=log_f,
+                )
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+
+    # Always block -- compaction = save everything
+    _output({"decision": "block", "reason": PRECOMPACT_BLOCK_REASON})
+
+
+def run_hook(hook_name: str, harness: str):
+    """Main entry point: read stdin JSON, dispatch to hook handler."""
+    try:
+        data = json.load(sys.stdin)
+    except (json.JSONDecodeError, EOFError):
+        data = {}
+
+    hooks = {
+        "stop": hook_stop,
+        "precompact": hook_precompact,
+    }
+
+    handler = hooks.get(hook_name)
+    if handler is None:
+        print(f"Unknown hook: {hook_name}", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    handler(data, harness)

mempalace/instructions/help.md

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+# MemPalace
+
+AI memory system. Store everything, find anything. Local, free, no API key.
+
+---
+
+## Slash Commands
+
+| Command              | Description                    |
+|----------------------|--------------------------------|
+| /mempalace:init      | Install and set up MemPalace   |
+| /mempalace:search    | Search your memories           |
+| /mempalace:mine      | Mine projects and conversations|
+| /mempalace:status    | Palace overview and stats      |
+| /mempalace:help      | This help message              |
+
+---
+
+## MCP Tools (19)
+
+### Palace (read)
+- mempalace_status -- Palace status and stats
+- mempalace_list_wings -- List all wings
+- mempalace_list_rooms -- List rooms in a wing
+- mempalace_get_taxonomy -- Get the full taxonomy tree
+- mempalace_search -- Search memories by query
+- mempalace_check_duplicate -- Check if a memory already exists
+- mempalace_get_aaak_spec -- Get the AAAK specification
+
+### Palace (write)
+- mempalace_add_drawer -- Add a new memory (drawer)
+- mempalace_delete_drawer -- Delete a memory (drawer)
+
+### Knowledge Graph
+- mempalace_kg_query -- Query the knowledge graph
+- mempalace_kg_add -- Add a knowledge graph entry
+- mempalace_kg_invalidate -- Invalidate a knowledge graph entry
+- mempalace_kg_timeline -- View knowledge graph timeline
+- mempalace_kg_stats -- Knowledge graph statistics
+
+### Navigation
+- mempalace_traverse -- Traverse the palace structure
+- mempalace_find_tunnels -- Find cross-wing connections
+- mempalace_graph_stats -- Graph connectivity statistics
+
+### Agent Diary
+- mempalace_diary_write -- Write a diary entry
+- mempalace_diary_read -- Read diary entries
+
+---
+
+## CLI Commands
+
+    mempalace init <dir>                  Initialize a new palace
+    mempalace mine <dir>                  Mine a project (default mode)
+    mempalace mine <dir> --mode convos    Mine conversation exports
+    mempalace search "query"              Search your memories
+    mempalace split <dir>                 Split large transcript files
+    mempalace wake-up                     Load palace into context
+    mempalace compress                    Compress palace storage
+    mempalace status                      Show palace status
+    mempalace repair                      Rebuild vector index
+    mempalace hook run                    Run hook logic (for harness integration)
+    mempalace instructions <name>         Output skill instructions
+
+---
+
+## Auto-Save Hooks
+
+- Stop hook -- Automatically saves memories every 15 messages. Counts human
+  messages in the session transcript (skipping command-messages). When the
+  threshold is reached, blocks the AI with a save instruction. Uses
+  ~/.mempalace/hook_state/ to track save points per session. If
+  stop_hook_active is true, passes through to prevent infinite loops.
+
+- PreCompact hook -- Emergency save before context compaction. Always blocks
+  with a comprehensive save instruction because compaction means the AI is
+  about to lose detailed context.
+
+Hooks read JSON from stdin and output JSON to stdout. They can be invoked via:
+
+    echo '{"session_id":"abc","stop_hook_active":false,"transcript_path":"..."}' | mempalace hook run --hook stop --harness claude-code
+
+---
+
+## Architecture
+
+    Wings (projects/people)
+      +-- Rooms (topics)
+            +-- Closets (summaries)
+                  +-- Drawers (verbatim memories)
+
+    Halls connect rooms within a wing.
+    Tunnels connect rooms across wings.
+
+The palace is stored locally using ChromaDB for vector search and SQLite for
+metadata. No cloud services or API keys required.
+
+---
+
+## Getting Started
+
+1. /mempalace:init -- Set up your palace
+2. /mempalace:mine -- Mine a project or conversation
+3. /mempalace:search -- Find what you stored

mempalace/instructions/init.md

@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+# MemPalace Init
+
+Guide the user through a complete MemPalace setup. Follow each step in order,
+stopping to report errors and attempt remediation before proceeding.
+
+## Step 1: Check Python version
+
+Run `python3 --version` (or `python --version` on Windows) and confirm the
+version is 3.9 or higher. If Python is not found or the version is too old,
+tell the user they need Python 3.9+ installed and stop.
+
+## Step 2: Check if mempalace is already installed
+
+Run `pip show mempalace` to see if the package is already present. If it is,
+report the installed version and skip to Step 4.
+
+## Step 3: Install mempalace
+
+Run `pip install mempalace`.
+
+### Error handling -- pip failures
+
+If `pip install mempalace` fails, try these fallbacks in order:
+
+1. Try `pip3 install mempalace`
+2. Try `python -m pip install mempalace` (or `python3 -m pip install mempalace`)
+3. If the error mentions missing build tools or compilation failures (commonly
+   from chromadb or its native dependencies):
+   - On Linux/macOS: suggest `sudo apt-get install build-essential python3-dev`
+     (Debian/Ubuntu) or `xcode-select --install` (macOS)
+   - On Windows: suggest installing Microsoft C++ Build Tools from
+     https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/
+   - Then retry the install command
+4. If all attempts fail, report the error clearly and stop.
+
+## Step 4: Ask for project directory
+
+Ask the user which project directory they want to initialize with MemPalace.
+Offer the current working directory as the default. Wait for their response
+before continuing.
+
+## Step 5: Initialize the palace
+
+Run `mempalace init <dir>` where `<dir>` is the directory from Step 4.
+
+If this fails, report the error and stop.
+
+## Step 6: Configure MCP server
+
+Run the following command to register the MemPalace MCP server with Claude:
+
+    claude mcp add mempalace -- python -m mempalace.mcp_server
+
+If this fails, report the error but continue to the next step (MCP
+configuration can be done manually later).
+
+## Step 7: Verify installation
+
+Run `mempalace status` and confirm the output shows a healthy palace.
+
+If the command fails or reports errors, walk the user through troubleshooting
+based on the output.
+
+## Step 8: Show next steps
+
+Tell the user setup is complete and suggest these next actions:
+
+- Use /mempalace:mine to start adding data to their palace
+- Use /mempalace:search to query their palace and retrieve stored knowledge

mempalace/instructions/mine.md

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# MemPalace Mine
+
+When the user invokes this skill, follow these steps:
+
+## 1. Ask what to mine
+
+Ask the user what they want to mine and where the source data is located.
+Clarify:
+- Is it a project directory (code, docs, notes)?
+- Is it conversation exports (Claude, ChatGPT, Slack)?
+- Do they want auto-classification (decisions, milestones, problems)?
+
+## 2. Choose the mining mode
+
+There are three mining modes:
+
+### Project mining
+
+    mempalace mine <dir>
+
+Mines code files, documentation, and notes from a project directory.
+
+### Conversation mining
+
+    mempalace mine <dir> --mode convos
+
+Mines conversation exports from Claude, ChatGPT, or Slack into the palace.
+
+### General extraction (auto-classify)
+
+    mempalace mine <dir> --mode convos --extract general
+
+Auto-classifies mined content into decisions, milestones, and problems.
+
+## 3. Optionally split mega-files first
+
+If the source directory contains very large files, suggest splitting them
+before mining:
+
+    mempalace split <dir> [--dry-run]
+
+Use --dry-run first to preview what will be split without making changes.
+
+## 4. Optionally tag with a wing
+
+If the user wants to organize mined content under a specific wing, add the
+--wing flag:
+
+    mempalace mine <dir> --wing <name>
+
+## 5. Show progress and results
+
+Run the selected mining command and display progress as it executes. After
+completion, summarize the results including:
+- Number of items mined
+- Categories or classifications applied
+- Any warnings or skipped files
+
+## 6. Suggest next steps
+
+After mining completes, suggest the user try:
+- /mempalace:search -- search the newly mined content
+- /mempalace:status -- check the current state of their palace
+- Mine more data from additional sources

mempalace/instructions/search.md

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+# MemPalace Search
+
+When the user wants to search their MemPalace memories, follow these steps:
+
+## 1. Parse the Search Query
+
+Extract the core search intent from the user's message. Identify any explicit
+or implicit filters:
+- Wing -- a top-level category (e.g., "work", "personal", "research")
+- Room -- a sub-category within a wing
+- Keywords / semantic query -- the actual search terms
+
+## 2. Determine Wing/Room Filters
+
+If the user mentions a specific domain, topic area, or context, map it to the
+appropriate wing and/or room. If unsure, omit filters to search globally. You
+can discover the taxonomy first if needed.
+
+## 3. Use MCP Tools (Preferred)
+
+If MCP tools are available, use them in this priority order:
+
+- mempalace_search(query, wing, room) -- Primary search tool. Pass the semantic
+  query and any wing/room filters.
+- mempalace_list_wings -- Discover all available wings. Use when the user asks
+  what categories exist or you need to resolve a wing name.
+- mempalace_list_rooms(wing) -- List rooms within a specific wing. Use to help
+  the user navigate or to resolve a room name.
+- mempalace_get_taxonomy -- Retrieve the full wing/room/drawer tree. Use when
+  the user wants an overview of their entire memory structure.
+- mempalace_traverse(room) -- Walk the knowledge graph starting from a room.
+  Use when the user wants to explore connections and related memories.
+- mempalace_find_tunnels(wing1, wing2) -- Find cross-wing connections (tunnels)
+  between two wings. Use when the user asks about relationships between
+  different knowledge domains.
+
+## 4. CLI Fallback
+
+If MCP tools are not available, fall back to the CLI:
+
+    mempalace search "query" [--wing X] [--room Y]
+
+## 5. Present Results
+
+When presenting search results:
+- Always include source attribution: wing, room, and drawer for each result
+- Show relevance or similarity scores if available
+- Group results by wing/room when returning multiple hits
+- Quote or summarize the memory content clearly
+
+## 6. Offer Next Steps
+
+After presenting results, offer the user options to go deeper:
+- Drill deeper -- search within a specific room or narrow the query
+- Traverse -- explore the knowledge graph from a related room
+- Check tunnels -- look for cross-wing connections if the topic spans domains
+- Browse taxonomy -- show the full structure for manual exploration

mempalace/instructions/status.md

@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# MemPalace Status
+
+Display the current state of the user's memory palace.
+
+## Step 1: Gather Palace Status
+
+Check if MCP tools are available (look for mempalace_status in available tools).
+
+- If MCP is available: Call the mempalace_status tool to retrieve palace state.
+- If MCP is not available: Run the CLI command: mempalace status
+
+## Step 2: Display Wing/Room/Drawer Counts
+
+Present the palace structure counts clearly:
+- Number of wings
+- Number of rooms
+- Number of drawers
+- Total memories stored
+
+Keep the output concise -- use a brief summary format, not verbose tables.
+
+## Step 3: Knowledge Graph Stats (MCP only)
+
+If MCP tools are available, also call:
+- mempalace_kg_stats -- for a knowledge graph overview (triple count, entity
+  count, relationship types)
+- mempalace_graph_stats -- for connectivity information (connected components,
+  average connections per entity)
+
+Present these alongside the palace counts in a unified summary.
+
+## Step 4: Suggest Next Actions
+
+Based on the current state, suggest one relevant action:
+
+- Empty palace (zero memories): Suggest "Try /mempalace:mine to add data from
+  files, URLs, or text."
+- Has data but no knowledge graph (memories exist but KG stats show zero
+  triples): Suggest "Consider adding knowledge graph triples for richer
+  queries."
+- Healthy palace (has memories and KG data): Suggest "Use /mempalace:search to
+  query your memories."
+
+## Output Style
+
+- Be concise and informative -- aim for a quick glance, not a report.
+- Use short labels and numbers, not prose paragraphs.
+- If any step fails or a tool is unavailable, note it briefly and continue
+  with what is available.

mempalace/instructions_cli.py

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+"""
+Instruction text output for MemPalace CLI commands.
+
+Each instruction lives as a .md file in the instructions/ directory
+inside the package. The CLI reads and prints the file content.
+"""
+
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+INSTRUCTIONS_DIR = Path(__file__).parent / "instructions"
+
+AVAILABLE = ["init", "search", "mine", "help", "status"]
+
+
+def run_instructions(name: str):
+    """Read and print the instruction .md file for the given name."""
+    if name not in AVAILABLE:
+        print(f"Unknown instructions: {name}", file=sys.stderr)
+        print(f"Available: {', '.join(sorted(AVAILABLE))}", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    md_path = INSTRUCTIONS_DIR / f"{name}.md"
+    if not md_path.is_file():
+        print(f"Instructions file not found: {md_path}", file=sys.stderr)
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    print(md_path.read_text())