athola/memory-palace-architect

Status: unwired. As of v1.9.4, no command or agent invokes Skill(memory-palace:memory-palace-architect). The /palace create command does palace creation directly without routing through this skill. The architectural guidance below is reference material; consult it when designing a new palace by hand. Tracked for follow-up in the April 2026 skill audit.

Table of Contents

• What It Is
• Quick Start
• Create a New Palace
• List Existing Palaces
• View Palace Status
• When to Use
• Architectural Templates
• Core Workflow
• Detailed Resources
• Integration
• Expected Outputs

Memory Palace Architect

Design and construct virtual memory palaces for spatial knowledge organization. This skill guides you through creating memorable spatial structures that enhance recall and organize complex information.

What It Is

A memory palace is a mnemonic technique that uses spatial visualization to organize and recall information. This skill provides a systematic approach for:

• Analyzing knowledge domains for optimal spatial mapping
• Designing architectural layouts that reflect conceptual relationships
• Creating multi-sensory associations for enhanced recall
• Building navigable structures for knowledge retrieval

Quick Start

Create a New Palace

python scripts/palace_manager.py create "My Palace" "programming" --metaphor workshop

Verification: Run python --version to verify Python environment.

List Existing Palaces

python scripts/palace_manager.py list

Verification: Run python --version to verify Python environment.

View Palace Status

python scripts/palace_manager.py status

Verification: Run python --version to verify Python environment.

When To Use

• Creating knowledge structures for complex topics
• Organizing large amounts of related information
• Building persistent, project-specific memory systems
• Designing learning pathways for skill acquisition
• Structuring documentation or reference material

When NOT To Use

• Quick knowledge search
  • use knowledge-locator instead
• Session-specific context - use session-palace-builder
• Quick knowledge search
  • use knowledge-locator instead
• Session-specific context - use session-palace-builder

Architectural Templates

| Template | Best For | Key Features | |----------|----------|--------------| | Fortress | Security, defense, production-grade systems | Strong boundaries, layered access | | Library | Knowledge, research, documentation | Organized shelves, categorized sections | | Workshop | Practical skills, tools, techniques | Workbenches, tool areas, project spaces | | Garden | Organic growth, evolving knowledge | Plots, seasons, interconnected paths | | Observatory | Exploration, discovery, patterns | Viewing platforms, star maps, instruments |

Core Workflow

1. Analyze Domain - Identify concepts, relationships, and hierarchy
2. Design Layout - Choose metaphor and spatial organization
3. Map Associations - Create memorable imagery and connections
4. Encode Details - Add sensory attributes and ambient atmosphere
5. Validate Palace - Test recall efficiency and navigation

Detailed Resources

• Domain Analysis Guide: See modules/domain-analysis.md
• Layout Patterns: See modules/layout-patterns.md
• Sensory Encoding: See modules/sensory-encoding.md
• Validation Metrics: See modules/validation.md
• Franklin Protocol: See modules/franklin-protocol.md - Apply the original learning algorithm to palace design

Integration

Works with:

• knowledge-locator - For searching across palaces
• session-palace-builder - For temporary session palaces
• digital-garden-cultivator - For evolving knowledge bases

Expected Outputs

• Complete palace schema with spatial coordinates
• Sensory encoding profile for each location
• Navigation guide and connection map
• Recall testing results and optimization recommendations

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

If palace creation fails, check that the metaphor argument matches one of the supported templates (Fortress, Library, Workshop, Garden, Observatory). For script errors, ensure the palace_manager.py script has executable permissions and that your Python environment meets the requirements listed in pyproject.toml.

Exit Criteria

• [ ] scripts/palace_manager.py create "<name>" "<domain>" --metaphor <template> completes without error and adds the palace to the index
• [ ] scripts/palace_manager.py list shows the newly created palace by the name supplied during creation
• [ ] Created palace schema includes spatial coordinates, a sensory encoding profile, and a navigation guide
• [ ] The metaphor argument resolves to one of the five supported templates (Fortress, Library, Workshop, Garden, Observatory); if not, error is reported with the valid list
• [ ] Recall testing results or optimization recommendations are produced as part of the Expected Outputs section