MCP Prompts

Prompt templates guide the LLM through multi-step workflows using the vault tools. Write prompts (research, discuss, create_from_template) are only available when MARKDOWN_VAULT_MCP_READ_ONLY=false.

Quick Reference

Prompt	Parameters	Category	Description
summarize	path	Read	Structured summary of a document
research	topic	Write	Search, synthesize, and create a research note
discuss	path	Write	Analyze and suggest improvements using edit
create_from_template	template_name (optional)	Write	Create a new note from a template in your templates folder
related	path	Read	Find related notes and suggest cross-references
compare	path1, path2	Read	Side-by-side comparison of two documents

---

summarize

Read a document and produce a structured summary with key themes and takeaways.

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
path	string	Relative path to the document to summarize

Workflow: Calls read on the given path, then produces a concise summary covering the document's main topics and key points.

research

Search for a topic, synthesize findings across multiple documents, and create a new research note.

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
topic	string	The topic to research

Workflow:

1. Calls search with the topic (uses hybrid mode if available)
2. Reads the top 3-5 results
3. Writes a structured summary with source links to Research/{topic-slug}.md

Write prompt

This prompt creates a new document and is only available when READ_ONLY=false.

discuss

Analyze a document and suggest improvements, applying changes via edit (not write).

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
path	string	Relative path to the document to discuss

Workflow:

1. Calls read to review the document
2. Identifies specific improvements (factual corrections, clarity, structure, completeness)
3. Presents proposed changes to the user
4. Applies approved changes using edit calls

Write prompt

This prompt modifies existing documents and is only available when READ_ONLY=false.

create_from_template

Create a new note by adapting a template from your configured templates folder.

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
template_name	string | null	Optional template filename/path relative to MARKDOWN_VAULT_MCP_TEMPLATES_FOLDER

Workflow:

1. If template_name is not provided, calls list_documents(folder=<templates folder>)
2. Calls read on the selected template path
3. Presents template structure and asks the user for values
4. Proposes/collects target path for the new note
5. Calls write with the filled content

Template convention

Templates are regular markdown files. Set MARKDOWN_VAULT_MCP_TEMPLATES_FOLDER (default _templates) to control where template files live.

Write prompt

This prompt creates a new document and is only available when READ_ONLY=false.

related

Find related notes via search and suggest cross-references as markdown links.

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
path	string	Relative path to the document to find related notes for

Workflow:

1. Calls read to extract main topics and key terms
2. Calls search using those terms (prefers semantic mode)
3. Presents a list of related documents with connection explanations

This is a read-only prompt — it does not modify any documents.

compare

Read two documents and produce a side-by-side comparison.

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
path1	string	Relative path to the first document
path2	string	Relative path to the second document

Workflow: Reads both documents and presents a comparison covering:

• What both documents agree on
• Where they differ or contradict
• Information present in one but absent from the other