# Second Brain Ingest

Process raw source documents into wiki pages.

- Repository: https://github.com/NicholasSpisak/second-brain (767 stars)
- Category: Writing
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-04-07
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add NicholasSpisak/second-brain --skill second-brain-ingest -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add NicholasSpisak/second-brain --skill second-brain-ingest -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add NicholasSpisak/second-brain --skill second-brain-ingest -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add NicholasSpisak/second-brain --skill second-brain-ingest -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Process raw source documents into wiki pages. Use when the user adds files to raw/ and wants them ingested, says "process this source", "ingest this article", "I added something to raw/", or wants to incorporate new material into their knowledge base.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Second Brain, Ingest

Process raw source documents into structured, interlinked wiki pages.

## Identify Sources to Process

Determine which files need ingestion:

1. If the user specifies a file or files, use those
2. If the user says "process new sources" or similar, detect unprocessed files:
   - List all files in `raw/` (excluding `raw/assets/`)
   - Read `wiki/log.md` and extract all previously ingested source filenames from `ingest` entries
   - Any file in `raw/` not listed in the log is unprocessed
3. If no unprocessed files are found, tell the user

## Process Each Source

For each source file, follow this workflow:

### 1. Read the source completely

Read the entire file. If the file contains image references, note them, read the images separately if they contain important information.

### 2. Discuss key takeaways with the user

Before writing anything, share the 3-5 most important takeaways from the source. Ask the user if they want to emphasize any particular aspects or skip any topics. Wait for confirmation before proceeding.

### 3. Create source summary page

Create a new file in `wiki/sources/` named after the source (slugified). Include:

    ---
    tags: [relevant, tags]
    sources: [original-filename.md]
    created: YYYY-MM-DD
    updated: YYYY-MM-DD
    ---

    # Source Title

    **Source:** original-filename.md
    **Date ingested:** YYYY-MM-DD
    **Type:** article | paper | transcript | notes | etc.

    ## Summary

    Structured summary of the source content.

    ## Key Claims

    - Claim 1
    - Claim 2
    - ...

    ## Entities Mentioned

    - [[Entity Name]], brief context
    - ...

    ## Concepts Covered

    - [[Concept Name]], brief context
    - ...

### 4. Update entity and concept pages

For each entity (person, organization, product, tool) and concept (idea, framework, theory, pattern) mentioned in the source:

The rest: https://github.com/NicholasSpisak/second-brain/blob/HEAD/skills/second-brain-ingest/SKILL.md