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Llm Wiki — Karpathy's LLM Wiki: build/query interlinked markdown KB

Llm Wiki — Karpathy's LLM Wiki: build/query interlinked markdown KB

Developer19 minutes3 questions2026-08-09
The idea in one minute

Start with meaning, then move to detail.

This lesson explains Llm Wiki — Karpathy's LLM Wiki: build/query interlinked markdown KB as part of Hermes internals and extension points. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.

If you are new

If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?

For hands-on use

For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.

For specialists

For advanced readers, inspect Skill metadata, Reference: full SKILL.md, When This Skill Activates, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.

What do you need first?

Know Python, Git, and basic project structure before changing code.

What will you know?

A clear outcome before you read.

  • Understand Llm Wiki — Karpathy's LLM Wiki: build/query interlinked markdown KB without assumed prior knowledge.
  • Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
  • Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Lesson terms

Short definitions before the details.

Session & memory
A session holds conversation context, while memory keeps selected facts that should persist.
Skill
An instruction bundle that teaches Hermes a repeatable workflow without necessarily adding an external service.
Official page description

Karpathy's LLM Wiki: build/query interlinked markdown KB

Topic map

What does the source say, and in what order?

  1. 01
    Skill metadata

    Start here to understand the core idea or structure.

  2. 02
    Reference: full SKILL.md

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  3. 03
    When This Skill Activates

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  4. 04
    Wiki Location

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  5. 05
    Architecture: Three Layers

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  6. 06
    Resuming an Existing Wiki (CRITICAL — do this every session)

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  7. 07
    Initializing a New Wiki

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  8. 08
    SCHEMA.md Template

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  9. 09
    Domain

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  10. 10
    Conventions

    Finish here to verify the result and special cases.

Examples from the official page

Copy only after you understand the effect.

WIKI="${WIKI_PATH:-$HOME/wiki}"
wiki/ ├── SCHEMA.md # Conventions, structure rules, domain config ├── index.md # Sectioned content catalog with one-line summaries ├── log.md # Chronological action log (append-only, rotated yearly) ├── raw/ # Layer 1: Immutable source material │ ├── articles/ # Web articles, clippings │ ├── papers/ # PDFs, arxiv papers │ ├── transcripts/ # Meeting notes, interviews │ └── assets/ # Images, diagrams referenced by sources ├── entities/ # Layer 2: Entity pages (people, orgs, products, models) ├── concepts/
WIKI="${WIKI_PATH:-$HOME/wiki}" # Orientation reads at session start read_file "$WIKI/SCHEMA.md" read_file "$WIKI/index.md" read_file "$WIKI/log.md" offset=<last 30 lines>
Try it now

Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.

Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.

Knowledge check

Three decisions before completion.

1. What is the source of truth when “Llm Wiki — Karpathy's LLM Wiki: build/query interlinked markdown KB” changes?
2. What is the best way to apply this lesson?
3. What should happen before a step can modify files or an external account?