=== name: add-domain description: Add a new knowledge domain to your existing system. Derives domain-specific configuration through conversation, generates domain folders, templates, and vocabulary while preserving and connecting to your existing architecture. context: fork model: opus allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Grep, Glob, Bash, AskUserQuestion argument-hint: “[domain name or description, e.g. ‘therapy sessions’ or ‘creative writing’]”
You are extending an existing knowledge system with a new domain. This is composition, not replacement. The new domain must coexist with existing domains while maintaining its own vocabulary, schema, and processing patterns. The shared graph (wiki links, hub MOC, description fields) connects everything.
Your Task
Add a new knowledge domain: $ARGUMENTS
Reference Files
Read these during derivation phases:
Composition rules:
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/derivation-validation.md– Test 4 (Multi-Domain Composition) validates the pattern${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/three-spaces.md– three-space architecture (shared across domains)${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/interaction-constraints.md– coherence validation for domain config
Domain configuration:
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/vocabulary-transforms.md– domain-native term mapping${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/tradition-presets.md– pre-validated domain configurations${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/use-case-presets.md– 3 presets with configurations${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/dimension-claim-map.md– research backing for dimension positions${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/failure-modes.md– domain vulnerability matrix
Validation:
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/kernel.yaml– the 12 non-negotiable primitives${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/validate-kernel.sh– kernel validation script
PHASE 1: Scan Existing System
Automated. Understand what exists before adding to it.
1a. Read system configuration
Read ops/derivation.md for:
- Current dimension positions
- Vocabulary mapping
- Platform and automation level
- Active feature blocks
Read ops/config.yaml for live configuration values.
1b. Inventory existing domains
Identify all current knowledge domains:
- Primary notes folder and its domain vocabulary
- Any existing secondary domains (folders, templates, MOCs)
- Schema fields in use per domain
1c. Identify dimension types
Classify each of the 8 dimensions as system-level or domain-adjustable:
| Dimension | Type | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Organization | system-level | Flat/hierarchical applies to the whole workspace |
| Automation | system-level | Hooks and skills are workspace-wide infrastructure |
| Navigation depth | system-level | Hub MOC structure is shared |
| Granularity | domain-adjustable | Different domains may need different granularity |
| Processing | domain-adjustable | Research needs heavy, relationships need light |
| Maintenance | domain-adjustable | Different condition thresholds per domain growth rate |
| Schema | domain-adjustable | Domain-specific fields vary |
| Linking | domain-adjustable | Some domains need semantic search, others don’t |
System-level dimensions are fixed by the existing system. Domain-adjustable dimensions can vary for the new domain.
PHASE 2: Conversation
1-3 conversation turns to understand the new domain. Use AskUserQuestion for each turn.
Opening question
Ask ONE focused question about the new domain:
“Tell me about [domain hint from $ARGUMENTS] – what kinds of things will you track, and how does this relate to your existing [current domain vocabulary] work?”
The second half is critical: understanding the relationship between domains drives composition decisions.
Signal extraction
As the user responds, extract signals for domain-adjustable dimensions:
| Signal | Dimension | Position |
|---|---|---|
| “Quick notes about people” | Granularity | moderate |
| “Deep analysis of sessions” | Processing | heavy |
| “Just remember key moments” | Processing | light |
| “I revisit and update often” | Maintenance | tight thresholds |
| “Mostly static once captured” | Maintenance | lax thresholds |
| “Need to find patterns across entries” | Linking | explicit+implicit |
Also extract:
- Volume estimate – how many notes per processing batch
- Temporal dynamics – how fast does content change
- Vocabulary – the user’s own words for notes, processes, organization
- Cross-domain relationship – how this connects to existing domain(s)
Follow-up strategy
After the opening response, ask 1-2 follow-ups targeting:
- Vocabulary confirmation – “When you say [user’s word], do you mean individual insights or longer entries?”
- Cross-domain connection patterns – “Will [new domain] notes connect to your [existing domain] notes? How?”
Do NOT ask about dimensions directly. Listen for them in natural conversation.
PHASE 3: Derive Domain Configuration
3a. Map signals to domain-adjustable dimensions
For each adjustable dimension, determine the position for the new domain:
- User signals (highest priority)
- Closest use-case preset from
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/use-case-presets.md - Cascade from system-level dimensions
3b. Build vocabulary mapping
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/vocabulary-transforms.md for the transformation table.
Priority order:
- User’s own words from conversation
- Use-case preset vocabulary
- Closest reference domain blend
Build the complete mapping for the new domain:
| Universal Term | New Domain Term | Source |
|---|---|---|
| note | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
| extract / reduce | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
| connect / reflect | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
| MOC | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
| description | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
| topics | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
| inbox | [term] | [user / preset / blend] |
3c. Design domain-specific schema
Start from the base note schema (description, topics) and add domain-specific fields:
_schema:
entity_type: "[domain]-note"
applies_to: "[domain-folder]/*.md"
required:
- description
- topics
optional:
- [domain-specific fields based on conversation signals]
enums:
[field]:
- [domain-relevant values]
3d. Collision check
This is critical for multi-domain composition. Verify:
-
Filename uniqueness – the new domain’s note titles won’t collide with existing notes. Wiki links resolve by filename across the entire workspace, so every filename must be unique.
-
Schema field names – new domain fields don’t conflict with existing domain fields. If both domains use a field name (e.g.,
type), the enum values must be mutually exclusive or the field must have compatible semantics. -
Template names – new domain templates have distinct names from existing templates.
-
Folder names – new domain folders don’t collide with existing folders.
If any collisions are detected, resolve them before proceeding.
PHASE 4: Check Composition Rules
Read ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/derivation-validation.md (Test 4: Multi-Domain Composition) for the validated composition pattern.
Verify each composition rule:
Rule 1: Wiki links resolve unambiguously in shared namespace
All note filenames must be unique across all domains. The new domain’s naming conventions must be compatible with existing ones.
Rule 2: Hub MOC links to all domain MOCs
The existing hub MOC (index.md or equivalent) must be updated to include the new domain’s entry point MOC. The hierarchy becomes:
hub -> existing domain MOCs
-> new domain MOC
Rule 3: Cross-domain reflect searches all notes folders
If connection finding (reflect) is active, it must search across all domains – a note in the new domain might connect to a note in the existing domain. Semantic search collections must include the new domain folder.
Rule 4: Domain-specific processing can coexist
If the new domain needs different processing intensity than the existing domain, the pipeline must route by note type. Heavy processing for research notes, light processing for relationship notes, etc.
Rule 5: Context file loading is progressive
The new domain’s methodology guide should load only when working in that domain, not at every session start. This prevents context bloat as domains accumulate.
Coherence check
Run the new domain’s configuration through ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/reference/interaction-constraints.md:
- Hard constraint violations between new domain config and system-level dimensions
- Soft constraint warnings specific to the new domain
- Cascade effects on existing domain(s)
PHASE 5: Present Proposal
Show the user exactly what will be created and how it connects to what exists.
Output format:
=== ADD DOMAIN PROPOSAL ===
New domain: [domain name]
Vocabulary: [key term mappings]
--- What will be created ---
Folder structure:
[domain-folder]/ <- [description]
index.md <- domain hub MOC
[domain-inbox]/ <- capture zone (if processing >= moderate)
templates/[domain]-note.md <- note template with domain schema
--- Connections to existing system ---
- Hub MOC (index.md): add [new domain] section with link to [[domain-index]]
- Cross-domain links: [new domain] notes can link to [existing domain] notes and vice versa
- Shared infrastructure: self/, ops/, templates/ remain shared
- Semantic search: [new collection added / not needed at current volume]
--- What does NOT change ---
- Existing [domain] folder: untouched
- Existing templates: untouched
- Existing MOC hierarchy: untouched (hub gains one new link)
- self/ space: shared (methodology.md updated with multi-domain patterns)
- ops/ space: shared (derivation.md updated with domain addition)
--- Domain Configuration ---
| Dimension | Position | Rationale |
|-----------|----------|-----------|
| Granularity | [val] | [reason] |
| Processing | [val] | [reason] |
| Maintenance | [val] | [reason] |
| Schema | [val] | [reason] |
| Linking | [val] | [reason] |
| (system-level dimensions inherited from existing system) |
--- Schema Preview ---
[Show the _schema block for the new domain template]
--- Vocabulary Mapping ---
| Universal | New Domain | Existing Domain |
|-----------|-----------|-----------------|
| note | [term] | [existing term] |
| ... | ... | ... |
Would you like me to create this? I can adjust anything before generating.
=== END PROPOSAL ===
Wait for user approval before proceeding.
PHASE 6: Generate
Create the new domain’s infrastructure. Order matters – later artifacts reference earlier ones.
Step 1: Domain folder structure
Create the domain’s notes folder and optional inbox folder:
mkdir -p [domain-folder]
mkdir -p [domain-inbox] # if processing >= moderate
Step 2: Domain note template
Create templates/[domain]-note.md with the derived _schema block, required and optional fields, and domain vocabulary in comments and examples.
Step 3: Domain hub MOC
Create [domain-folder]/index.md:
---
description: [entry point description in domain vocabulary]
type: moc
---
# index
[Orientation paragraph in domain vocabulary]
## [domain:Topics]
(topics will emerge as notes accumulate)
## Getting Started
1. Capture your first [domain:note]
2. Connect it to this hub
Step 4: Domain guide
Create a domain-specific methodology document that loads when working in this domain. For Claude Code: .claude/skills/[domain]-guide/SKILL.md or a section in the context file. For other platforms: a standalone guide file.
The guide covers:
- How to capture in this domain
- How to process (at the derived intensity)
- When to connect cross-domain
- Domain-specific quality standards
- Domain vocabulary reference
Step 5: Update hub MOC
Add the new domain to the existing hub MOC (index.md):
## [New Domain Name]
- [[domain-index]] -- [description of what this domain tracks]
Step 6: Update context file
Add to the context file:
- Domain routing: when working in [domain], load [domain guide]
- Vocabulary: new domain terms added to the vocabulary reference
- Processing: if different processing intensity, document the routing
- Cross-domain linking: when and how to connect across domains
Step 7: Update self/methodology.md
Add multi-domain working patterns:
- How to switch between domains
- When to create cross-domain connections
- Processing triggers per domain
Step 8: Update ops/derivation.md
Document the domain addition:
- New domain name and vocabulary
- Domain-adjustable dimension positions with rationale
- Composition rules verified
- Cross-domain connection patterns
- Date and context of addition
Step 9: Update semantic search (if configured)
If qmd or equivalent is configured:
# Add new collection for domain folder
qmd update
qmd embed
Update .mcp.json or equivalent configuration to include the new collection.
Step 10: Domain processing skills (if processing >= moderate)
If the new domain needs its own processing skills (because processing intensity or vocabulary differs from existing domain), generate domain-adapted versions of reduce/reflect/verify skills.
If the existing skills can handle multi-domain routing by note type, update them instead of creating duplicates.
PHASE 7: Validate
Kernel checks for new domain files
Run kernel validation against the new domain’s files:
- YAML frontmatter valid on all new files
- Wiki links from new files resolve (including cross-domain links)
- New domain MOC is reachable from hub
- Description fields present
- Topics footers reference the domain MOC
Composition validation
- No field conflicts – grep all templates for field names, verify no semantic conflicts
- Hub reachability – hub MOC links to all domain MOCs, all domain MOCs link to their notes
- Cross-domain link test – create a test link from new domain to existing domain, verify it resolves
- Filename uniqueness – verify no duplicate filenames across domains:
find . -name "*.md" -not -path "./.git/*" -not -name "README.md" -not -name "SKILL.md" \ -exec basename {} \; | sort | uniq -d - Vocabulary isolation – grep the new domain’s files for existing domain vocabulary terms (should not appear)
Report results
=== DOMAIN ADDITION VALIDATED ===
Domain: [name]
Files created: [N]
Hub updated: yes
Cross-domain links: functional
Filename uniqueness: verified
Schema conflicts: none
Your system now has [N] domains:
- [existing domain] ([N] notes)
- [new domain] (0 notes -- ready to start)
Next steps:
1. Capture your first [domain:note] in [domain-folder]/
2. Cross-domain connections will emerge naturally as you work
3. Run /health when /next flags maintenance issues in either domain
=== END VALIDATION ===
Quality Standards
- Existing content is never modified unless explicitly stated (hub MOC update, context file update, derivation update are the only modifications to existing files)
- Each domain maintains its own vocabulary – a therapy user never sees “claim” in their reflections folder
- Cross-domain connections are encouraged but never forced
- The hub MOC is the single unified entry point – it must link to ALL domains
- Templates are the source of truth for each domain’s schema – never define schema in two places
- If the new domain’s processing needs differ significantly, prefer separate processing paths over one-size-fits-all
- Validate that the system still passes kernel checks after the addition
- Document everything in ops/derivation.md – future reseeds need to understand the multi-domain composition