# Capturing memory

> How an agent writes entries — types, projects, tags, and provenance.

Capture is the cheap, frequent turn: one `INSERT` into `entries`, then tags.
Write freely as you work. Don't create pages or links — that's the
[Dreamer's](/docs/dreamer) job.

## The insert

```sql
insert into entries (title, content, entry_type, project_id, source)
values (
  'Picked Supavisor pooler',
  'Use port 6543, prepare:false for serverless.',
  'decision',
  '<infra-project-id>',                 -- the clear home, else omit (unfiled is fine)
  '{"kind":"chat","ref":"thread-42"}'::jsonb
)
returning id;
```

- **`entry_type`** — `log` (a time-stamped note), `document` (a durable
  reference), or `decision` (a choice and its rationale).
- **`project_id`** — the one **home scope**. Set it only when an obvious project
  fits; otherwise leave it null. The Dreamer routes unfiled entries on its next
  pass — never invent a project just to avoid null.
- **`source`** — provenance: `{kind, ref}` where `kind` is `chat`, `url`,
  `doc`, or `manual`.

Edit in place with `update` (set `updated_at = now()`) rather than capturing a
duplicate.

## Tag it

Tags are the cross-cutting labels — apply them in one call:

```sql
select apply_tags('entry', '<entry-id>', array['supabase', 'pooler']);
```

`apply_tags` upserts each name into the workspace's tag vocabulary
(case-insensitive) and links it to the entry. Use tags freely for emergent
themes; the Dreamer promotes recurring ones into their own pages.

**The folder/label rule.** Don't mirror the project into a tag. `project_id`
already gives the fast home filter; a duplicate tag would only drift on rename.
Tags are for what a single project can't capture.

## Which space?

A bare insert goes to your personal space. To write into a shared workspace, set
its id. When you're unsure where a memory belongs, the rule is **park, ask,
move**: write it to personal, ask the user, then move that fresh entry if they
confirm. See [Workspaces](/docs/workspaces) for routing in detail.

> Capture is append-only by habit: write the note, tag it, move on. The shape
> comes later, on its own.