emsenn

SKILL

2 min read

Split: $ARGUMENTS

Purpose

Take a single file that covers multiple concepts and produce separate files, one per concept, each following vault conventions. Update all references across the vault so nothing breaks.

Instructions

  1. Read the source file. Identify the distinct concepts it covers. Each concept should become its own file.

  2. Determine destinations. Each new file goes in the directory appropriate for its content type. If the source is a term file, the new files are term files in the same terms/ directory. If the source mixes types (a term and a concept), place each in its proper subdirectory.

  3. For each concept, create a new file following vault conventions:

    • Proper YAML frontmatter (title, date-created, type, tags, at least one semantic relation field)
    • Content that is self-standing — a reader should not need the original combined file to understand it
    • Markdown links (not wikilinks) to any related concepts
    • If the new file references the other concept(s) being split out, link to the new file path

  4. Find all references to the source file across the vault:

    grep -rl "source-filename" content/ --include="*.md"

    Update each reference to point to the appropriate new file. If a reference was to the combined concept, decide which new file is the better target.

  5. Handle the source file. Options:

    • If the source file is now empty of unique content, delete it
    • If the source file had content beyond the split concepts (e.g., a comparison or introduction), keep it as a linking document that points to the new files
    • Ask emsenn if unsure

  6. Verify. Run /check-note-style on each new file. Run /audit-vault-references to confirm no broken links.

Rules

  • Each new file must be self-standing. Do not leave stub files that say “see X for details.”
  • Preserve all frontmatter from the source: tags, semantic relations, dates. Distribute them appropriately to the new files.
  • If the source file defined terms used elsewhere in the vault, make sure those terms are still defined in exactly one place.
  • Do not create circular references between the split files unless the concepts genuinely reference each other.

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