---
summary: "Search and retrieve TekDek knowledge base using qmd (BM25 + semantic search + reranking)"
read_when:
  - Searching for TekDek knowledge (personas, projects, storylines, brands, operations)
  - Looking up past decisions, context, or documentation
  - Answering questions that might be in the knowledge base
  - Adding new knowledge to the knowledge base
---

# QMD — TekDek Knowledge Base

qmd is our local search engine. It indexes all markdown docs in the workspace and knowledge base, and supports keyword, semantic, and hybrid search with reranking.

## Collections

- **workspace** (`qmd://workspace/`) — Core agent files: IDENTITY.md, MEMORY.md, SOUL.md, USER.md, daily logs, etc.
- **knowledge** (`qmd://knowledge/`) — TekDek KB: personas, projects, storylines, brands, operations

## Knowledge Base Structure

```
/data/.openclaw/workspace/knowledge/
├── personas/       — One .md file per Coder persona
├── projects/       — One .md file per TekDek project
├── storyline/      — Storyline arcs, relationship dynamics
├── brands/         — Per-persona brand guides
└── operations/     — Processes, decisions, meeting notes
```

## Search Commands

```bash
# Fast keyword search
qmd search "query"

# Semantic/vector search
qmd vsearch "query"

# Best quality: hybrid + reranking (use this for most queries)
qmd query "query"

# Search within a specific collection
qmd search "query" -c knowledge
qmd query "persona quirks" -c knowledge

# Get a specific file
qmd get "knowledge/personas/example.md"

# Export results for agent use
qmd query "topic" --json -n 10
qmd query "topic" --all --files --min-score 0.4
```

## MCP Tools (available via MCP server)

- `query` — Hybrid search with reranking (best quality)
- `get` — Retrieve document by path or docid
- `multi_get` — Batch retrieve by glob or docids
- `status` — Index health and collection info

## Adding Knowledge

When new TekDek content is created (new persona, project, storyline beat, etc.), create a markdown file in the appropriate `knowledge/` subdirectory, then re-index:

```bash
qmd collection sync workspace
qmd collection sync knowledge
# Then re-embed if needed:
qmd embed
```

## Re-indexing

Run after adding/changing files:

```bash
qmd collection sync workspace && qmd collection sync knowledge
qmd embed  # slow on CPU — only run when needed
```

## Tips

- `qmd query` is best quality but slowest (uses LLM reranking)
- `qmd search` is fast and good for known terms
- `qmd vsearch` is good for fuzzy/conceptual queries
- Always check `qmd status` if results seem stale
- The MCP server (`qmd mcp`) can be used for tighter tool integration