# Knowledge Usage Rules

Use this file when a caller skill needs material from the policy knowledge base.

## Role Of The Knowledge Base

The knowledge base is a substrate for other skills. It provides:

- File navigation.
- Background concepts.
- Actor, event, narrative, and policy context.
- Optional domain playbooks.
- Evidence and source pointers.

It does not automatically own the final answer structure. If the caller skill has its own workflow or output format, follow the caller skill and use knowledge-base files as supporting material.

## Reading Discipline

1. Start from `routing.md`, a relevant `_MANIFEST.md`, or a legacy routing file.
2. Read only files that are relevant to the current task.
3. Do not read the whole knowledge base.
4. For large directories, read `_MANIFEST.md` before opening individual files.
5. For long files, read the relevant section when possible instead of consuming the entire file.
6. Prefer existing local files and local helper APIs over ad hoc guessing.

## When To Read A Playbook

Read a playbook when the task needs a domain-specific analysis method, such as:

- Signal interpretation.
- Scenario planning.
- Narrative attribution.
- Party strategy analysis.
- Escalation risk assessment.
- Election or voter-flow analysis.

Do not force a playbook for simple background lookup or when the caller skill already provides a complete method.

## When To Read Knowledge Files Without A Playbook

Use knowledge files directly when the caller only needs:

- A factual background note.
- Actor context.
- Event timeline context.
- A narrative definition.
- A concept or framework definition.
- A reference table.

In these cases, read the relevant `_MANIFEST.md` and concrete files, then return the information in the caller skill's format.

## File Priority

When unsure, use this order:

```text
routing.md
  -> rules/*.md as needed
  -> relevant _MANIFEST.md
  -> relevant playbook if method is needed
  -> concrete entities / narratives / events / primitives / reference files
```

## Separation From Current Events

Knowledge files may be stale. Treat them as background and analytical context. Use `bm25_search_news` or user-provided current materials for recent facts.

## Output Integration

When using knowledge-base material:

- Mention the specific file when it materially supports a claim.
- Do not say only "the knowledge base says".
- Preserve the caller skill's final format.
- Mark uncertainty if the knowledge base does not cover a key point.