From 44413db6d5b91e0545e898e85a10dfab1e543ad7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: George Pickett <297992784+georgeatparallel@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:29:29 -0700
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] docs(skills): note optional web search setup for
 memory-research

memory-research asks the agent to search the web, and Basic Memory does not ship that tool. Point hosts without search at the free Parallel Search MCP setup, and leave an existing search tool in place.
---
 skills/README.md                | 3 +++
 skills/memory-research/SKILL.md | 2 ++
 2 files changed, 5 insertions(+)

diff --git a/skills/README.md b/skills/README.md
index 1d59056ae..834826615 100644
--- a/skills/README.md
+++ b/skills/README.md
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ Basic Memory provides the MCP server — tools like `write_note`, `search_notes`
 | **memory-continue** | Resume prior work by rebuilding context from the knowledge graph — `build_context` via `memory://` URLs, recent activity, and search, then read the key notes. | Starting a session, or when the user says "continue with...", "back to...", or "where were we?" |
 | **memory-onboarding** | Guided onboarding for people new to Basic Memory — interview, blueprint, approval gate, then build a full system: schemas, templates, instruction notes, a startup router, indexes, and real seed notes, plus assistant setup so the rules load every session. | When a user is new to Basic Memory, doesn't know what to use it for, wants structure in an empty or messy project, or wants their assistant to follow consistent rules across sessions. |
 
+
+`memory-research` asks the agent to search the web. Basic Memory does not ship that tool. If the host already has web search, keep using it. If not, [Parallel Search MCP](https://docs.parallel.ai/integrations/mcp/search-mcp#cursor) is an optional free setup (no account or API key, lower rate limits). It does not receive notes, and the agent still asks before saving one.
+
 ## Basic Memory Cloud
 
 Everything works locally — cloud adds cross-device, team, and production capabilities:
diff --git a/skills/memory-research/SKILL.md b/skills/memory-research/SKILL.md
index cbd2abbdb..29f7e5f82 100644
--- a/skills/memory-research/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/memory-research/SKILL.md
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ Research an external subject, synthesize what you find, and create a structured
 
 ### Step 1: Web Research
 
+Basic Memory does not include a web search tool. If this host already has one, use it. If it does not, [Parallel Search MCP](https://docs.parallel.ai/integrations/mcp/search-mcp#cursor) is an optional free setup: no account or API key, with lower rate limits. Web search does not send notes to Parallel. Still ask before saving a note.
+
 Search for current information across multiple sources. Aim for 3-5 searches to build a well-rounded picture:
 
 ```

From 21cf2d9306eb678a48ecb0910075cc8055f9fd63 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: George Pickett <297992784+georgeatparallel@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:29:48 -0700
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] docs(skills): keep a single blank line before the search
 note

---
 skills/README.md | 1 -
 1 file changed, 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/skills/README.md b/skills/README.md
index 834826615..5562adb35 100644
--- a/skills/README.md
+++ b/skills/README.md
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ Basic Memory provides the MCP server — tools like `write_note`, `search_notes`
 | **memory-continue** | Resume prior work by rebuilding context from the knowledge graph — `build_context` via `memory://` URLs, recent activity, and search, then read the key notes. | Starting a session, or when the user says "continue with...", "back to...", or "where were we?" |
 | **memory-onboarding** | Guided onboarding for people new to Basic Memory — interview, blueprint, approval gate, then build a full system: schemas, templates, instruction notes, a startup router, indexes, and real seed notes, plus assistant setup so the rules load every session. | When a user is new to Basic Memory, doesn't know what to use it for, wants structure in an empty or messy project, or wants their assistant to follow consistent rules across sessions. |
 
-
 `memory-research` asks the agent to search the web. Basic Memory does not ship that tool. If the host already has web search, keep using it. If not, [Parallel Search MCP](https://docs.parallel.ai/integrations/mcp/search-mcp#cursor) is an optional free setup (no account or API key, lower rate limits). It does not receive notes, and the agent still asks before saving one.
 
 ## Basic Memory Cloud