Open Knowledge Format (OKF)

The Open Knowledge Format (OKF) is a protocol and file convention for managing durable knowledge maps with software-engineering rigor ¹.

Core Tenets

1. Progressive Disclosure: Information is organized into hierarchical layers. An investigator or AI agent begins at the bundle root (index.md), navigates to topical domains, and examines granular concept files only as needed.
2. Strict Provenance: Every claim made in a synthesized note must cite its origin using Markdown footnotes tied to authoritative sources ¹.
3. Knowledge Lifecycle: Notes track their author (generated.by), verification status (verified), and freshness horizon (stale_after). If knowledge exceeds its stale_after timestamp, the system flags it for review.
4. Machine-Checkable Invariants: The entire knowledge graph must validate without broken links, orphan citations, or unverified claims.

Related

• Second Brain Methodology - How OKF provides the structural foundation for personal knowledge management.
• Astro Second Brain - Project implementing these principles in a web dashboard.