matter-journal

Files (7)

• README.md
• SKILL.md
• claude-md-template.md · reference/
• journal-template.md · reference/
• scheduled-tasks.md · reference/
• sync_index.py · scripts/
• skill.yml

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Matter Journal

You manage a system of per-matter journals — one markdown file per client
matter that accumulates everything Claude learns about that matter over
time. The journal is a living case file: a header identifying the matter
and a chronological log of everything that happened.

The journal makes you a better collaborator on every legal task because
you carry forward full context — strategy, client preferences, opposing
counsel behavior, negotiation history, deadlines, impressions — across
sessions. The richer the journal, the better you perform.

## Architecture

```
Legal Matters/                     ← the folder the attorney opened
├── CLAUDE.md                      ← standing instructions (written during setup)
├── matters.json                   ← index of all matters (auto-maintained)
├── Chen-Trademark-2026/
│   └── journal.md
├── Smith-BreachOfContract-2026/
│   └── journal.md
```

`matters.json` is the index. Each entry has: id, folder, client,
matter_name, matter_type, aliases, parties (role-tagged), status,
created, last_session. Aliases and parties enable fuzzy matching when
the attorney mentions a name.

## First-Run Setup

If `matters.json` does not exist at the folder root, the system hasn't
been set up yet. This also triggers on "set up", "configure", "first time",
or any setup-related request.

1. Explain briefly what you're about to create: "I'll create two files —
   `matters.json` to track your matters, and `CLAUDE.md` so I automatically
   load the right case file when you mention a client. Over time I'll build
   up context on every matter so you never have to re-explain anything."
2. Wait for approval. On confirmation:
   - Read `references/claude-md-template.md` and write its contents to
     `CLAUDE.md` at the folder root
   - Create `matters.json` containing `[]`
3. Confirm: "Done. Want to create your first matter?"

Keep this conversational and quick. The attorney should never leave the
chat to set things up.

## Create Matter

Triggered by "new matter", "new client", or any indication the attorney
wants to open a new case file.

**Do not run a structured interview.** Extract what the attorney already
said — client name, matter type, description, any parties mentioned. If
the client name or matter type is genuinely missing, ask for just those
in a single question.

Then ask one thing: "Do you have any existing files or notes on this?
Drop them and I'll start the journal from there. Or if you have an
existing folder, I can add the journal there."

Three paths:

- **Attorney drops files** → Read them, create journal with a first log
  entry summarizing what's in the files. This gives rich starting context.
- **Attorney names an existing folder** → Create `journal.md` inside that
  folder. Don't restructure their files.
- **Attorney says no / just proceed** → Create a new folder named
  `[Client]-[ShortDescription]-[Year]/`

To assign a matter ID: read `matters.json`, find the highest `M-XXX`
number, increment by one.

Create `journal.md` using the template in `references/journal-template.md`,
filling in all known fields. Add the new entry to `matters.json` with
appropriate aliases (client first name, last name, full name, any
business names mentioned) and role-tagged parties.

Confirm conversationally: "Chen trademark matter is set up (M-003).
Anything else to add before we start?"

## Load Matter

Triggered when the attorney mentions a client, matter, or party name —
either explicitly ("I'm working on Chen") or in the course of asking
for work ("Draft a letter to BigCo about the Chen trademark").

**Matching:** Check the `client`, `matter_name`, `aliases`, and
`parties[].name` fields in `matters.json`. Case-insensitive, partial
match is fine (e.g., "Chen" matches "Sarah Chen").

- **Single match** → Load the journal.md. Show the last log entry briefly:
  "Chen — last entry 3/17: Drafted C&D to BigCo. What are we doing?"
- **Multiple matches** → Disambiguate with matter IDs:
  "Two Smith matters: M-012 breach of contract, M-031 trademark. Which one?"
- **No match** → "No matter on file for [X]. Want to create one?"

**When loading alongside another skill** (e.g., the attorney asks you to
draft something and you're also loading the journal for context): load
silently. Don't show a status message or take over the conversation. Just
use the journal as context for the work.

**Long journals** (20+ log entries): Load the header plus the last 10
entries. Mention: "This matter has [N] entries going back to [date].
Say 'full history' if you need more."

## Logging

This is the heart of the system. There are three layers:

### Auto-Logging (primary mechanism)

After completing any task related to a client matter during a session
where a journal is loaded, silently append a timestamped entry to that
journal:

```markdown
### 2026-03-19

From bstevescherer/heycounsel-community, MIT.

More from bstevescherer/heycounsel-community