scottrbk/exploring-knowledge-graph

Exploring the Knowledge Graph

Forgetful stores knowledge as an interconnected graph: memories link to other memories, entities link to memories, and entities relate to each other. Deep exploration reveals context that simple queries miss.

When to Explore

Explore the knowledge graph when:

• Starting complex work that spans multiple topics
• User asks "what do you know about X"
• Planning requires understanding existing decisions/patterns
• Investigating how concepts connect across projects
• Need comprehensive context, not just top search results

Exploration Phases

Track visited IDs to prevent cycles. Execute phases sequentially.

Phase 1: Semantic Entry Point

execute_forgetful_tool("query_memory", {
  "query": "<topic>",
  "query_context": "Exploring knowledge graph for comprehensive context",
  "k": 5,
  "include_links": true,
  "max_links_per_primary": 5
})

Collect: primary_memories + linked_memories (1-hop connections).

Phase 2: Expand Memory Details

For key memories, get full details:

execute_forgetful_tool("get_memory", {"memory_id": <id>})

Extract: document_ids, code_artifact_ids, project_ids, additional linked_memory_ids.

Phase 3: Entity Discovery

Find entities linked to discovered projects:

execute_forgetful_tool("list_entities", {
  "project_ids": [<discovered project ids>]
})

You can also explicitly link entities to projects for organizational grouping:

execute_forgetful_tool("link_entity_to_project", {
  "entity_id": <id>,
  "project_id": <id>
})

Phase 4: Entity Relationships

For relevant entities, map relationship graph:

execute_forgetful_tool("get_entity_relationships", {
  "entity_id": <id>,
  "direction": "both"
})

Relationship types: works_for, owns, manages, collaborates_with, etc.

Phase 5: Entity-Linked Memories

For each entity, find all linked memories:

execute_forgetful_tool("get_entity_memories", {
  "entity_id": <id>
})

Returns {"memory_ids": [...], "count": N}. Fetch any new memories not already visited.

Presenting Results

Group findings by type:

Memories: Primary (direct matches) -> Linked (1-hop) -> Entity-linked (via entities)

Entities: Name, type, relationship count, linked memory count

Artifacts: Documents and code snippets found via memory links

Graph Summary: Total nodes, key themes, suggested follow-up queries

Depth Control

• Shallow (phases 1-2): Quick context, ~5-15 memories
• Medium (phases 1-4): Include entities and relationships
• Deep (all phases): Full graph traversal, comprehensive context

Match depth to task complexity. Start shallow, go deeper if context insufficient.

Efficiency Tips

• Check truncated flag from query_memory (8000 token budget)
• Skip Phase 3-5 if no entities exist in discovered projects
• Use project_ids filter to scope exploration
• Stop expanding when hitting diminishing returns