/memory-query-workflow

name: memory-query-workflow
description: Use when a graph already exists and the user needs retrieval, tracing, explanation, or gap detection from graph memory before reopening the full corpus.

Memory Query Workflow

Overview

Use existing graph memory first.

Query the graph before rereading source files unless the graph is missing, stale, or too weak for the question.

Required Check

apx check graphify

Required State

• existing `graphify-out/graph.json`

Routing

| Question shape | Action | |---|---| | broad question about connected concepts | `graphify query` | | trace between two concepts, files, or systems | `graphify path` | | explain one concept or node in context | `graphify explain` | | no graph exists | switch to `memory-build-workflow` | | graph exists but corpus changed | recommend `graphify --update` before trusting results |

Core Rules

• prefer graph retrieval over full-corpus reread
• say explicitly when the graph is missing, stale, sparse, or weakly matched
• do not overclaim beyond what graph nodes and edges support
• when graph coverage is weak, use the graph result to target the next direct read instead of restarting broad exploration

Minimal Workflow

1. Confirm `graphify-out/graph.json` exists. 2. Choose `query`, `path`, or `explain` based on question shape. 3. Answer from graph evidence first. 4. If result quality is weak, say why: missing graph, stale graph, low coverage, or weak node match. 5. Escalate to build/update or targeted reread only when needed.

Common Failure Modes

• skipping graph lookup and rereading everything
• hiding that the graph is stale or incomplete
• using `query` for a question that clearly needs a path trace
• treating no-result output as proof the corpus lacks the concept

Verification

• [ ] Graph existence was confirmed before any query ran
• [ ] The command matched the question shape: query for breadth, path for traces, explain for one node
• [ ] The answer is grounded in graph nodes and edges — no overclaiming
• [ ] Staleness, sparseness, or weak node matches were stated explicitly
• [ ] Escalation to build, update, or targeted reread happened only when graph evidence was insufficient

Reference

• [`../graphify/UPSTREAM.md`](../graphify/UPSTREAM.md)