Backlink Index Protocol

The computed backlink graph makes wiki navigation work, but manual entity timeline backlinks preserve narrative evidence.

Routing

Open this page when adding, renaming, merging, or repairing pages with important [[wikilinks]], related: frontmatter, or entity references. Use it before bulk link rewrites and after source ingests that mention people, projects, tools, or concepts with existing pages.

npx tsx scripts/build-index.ts parses wikilinks and frontmatter to generate wiki/_backlinks.json. That computed graph powers the UI. It does not replace the agent's responsibility to update important entity pages when new mentions change their record. Source: scripts/build-index.ts; AGENTS.md

Link source Type
Body [[wikilinks]] mention
related: frontmatter related
typed relationship frontmatter uses, extends, contradicts, supersedes, or other typed relationships supported by the indexer

When a page meaningfully references a person, project, tool, institution, or core concept with its own page, add a timeline entry on that entity page if the reference changes what future agents should know.

Format:

- **YYYY-MM-DD** | Referenced in [[page-name]] for context. [Source: page/source, YYYY-MM-DD]

Do not add low-value backlinks for every incidental mention. The rule is "meaningful evidence," not "mechanical spam."

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a manual ## Backlinks section. Do not do this.
  • Linking only from the new page and never updating the entity page.
  • Creating a new entity page before checking aliases.
  • Forgetting build-index after changing related: or wikilinks.
  • Deleting or moving pages without preserving aliases or redirects for old retrieval paths.

Verification

After graph edits:

npx tsx scripts/build-index.ts

For targeted checks, inspect wiki/_backlinks.json or use the UI graph page after rebuild. When graph edits come from page moves, generated packs, redirects, or registry changes, use Generated Surface Contract to refresh the derived surfaces that depend on the graph.


Timeline