MoveMemory

Purpose

Move or rename memory FILES within the Maenifold system, updating URIs and maintaining file integrity with automatic timestamp tracking.

When to Use This Tool

Renaming files to better reflect updated content or purpose
Reorganizing files into new folder structures for improved organization
Moving files between different thematic directories in your memory system
Fixing filename issues like typos or inconsistent naming patterns
Restructuring your knowledge base architecture after learning new organizational patterns
Consolidating related files into subject-specific folders
Moving orphaned files into appropriate categorical structures

Key Features

Automatic URI Updates: Source and destination URIs are automatically generated and tracked
Metadata Preservation: All frontmatter including title, permalink, type, status, created date, and tags are preserved
Timestamp Tracking: Modified timestamp is automatically updated during the move operation
Directory Creation: Destination directories are created automatically if they don’t exist
Source Cleanup: Original file is automatically deleted after successful move to prevent duplicates
Flexible Path Handling: Supports both simple renaming and complex directory restructuring
Title-Based Lookup: Can identify source files by title instead of requiring URI
Cross-Platform Paths: Handles both forward slashes and backslashes for destination paths

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description	Example
source	string	Yes	Source FILE identifier (memory:// URI or file title)	“memory://learning-notes” or “Learning Notes”
destination	string	Yes	Destination FILE name or path	”deep-learning-notes” or “ai/machine-learning/deep-learning.md”

Usage Examples

Basic File Renaming

{"source": "old-filename", "destination": "new-filename"}

Renames “old-filename.md” to “new-filename.md” in the same directory while preserving all metadata and updating the modified timestamp.

Moving to New Directory Structure

{"source": "memory://scattered-notes", "destination": "research/ai/neural-networks"}

Moves the file from its current location to the “research/ai/” folder with filename “neural-networks.md”, creating the directory structure if needed.

Folder Reorganization

{"source": "temp-notes", "destination": "projects/2025/maenifold-research"}

Relocates a temporary file into a proper project structure, demonstrating how to organize files by time period and project scope.

Cross-Directory File Movement

{"source": "memory://general/random-thoughts", "destination": "philosophy/consciousness/maenifold-theory"}

Moves a file from a general folder into a specialized philosophical topic structure, showing deep categorization.

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Simple Renaming for Clarity

Use when file titles need updating to reflect evolved understanding:

From: “notes-about-ai” → To: “artificial-intelligence-fundamentals”
Improves searchability and semantic clarity without changing location

Pattern 2: Thematic Reorganization

Organize files into subject-based hierarchies as knowledge accumulates:

From: Flat structure → To: “domain/subdomain/specific-topic”
Creates logical knowledge pathways for better [[concept]] relationships

Pattern 3: Temporal Organization

Structure files by time periods for project-based workflows:

Pattern: “projects/YYYY/project-name/topic”
Maintains chronological context while preserving subject categorization

Pattern 4: Research Pipeline Movement

Move files through research stages as understanding deepens:

“inbox/” → “processing/” → “research/domain/” → “knowledge/domain/”
Reflects information maturity and processing stages

ReadMemory: Use to verify file content before moving, especially with URI-based identification
SearchMemories: Find files by content when you need to identify the correct source for moving
WriteMemory: Often used after MoveMemory when file location changes require content updates
EditMemory: Update [[concept]] references that may need adjustment after reorganization
ListMemories: Explore current folder structures to plan optimal destination paths
BuildContext: Understand [[concept]] relationships that might influence organizational decisions

Troubleshooting

Error: “Source memory file not found: [identifier]”

Solution: Verify the source identifier is correct. If using a title, ensure exact match including capitalization. Use SearchMemories to find the correct title or URI.

Error: File already exists at destination

Solution: MoveMemory will overwrite destination files. Use ReadMemory to check destination first, or choose a different destination path.

Issue: Complex path separators causing confusion

Solution: Use forward slashes consistently in destination paths. MoveMemory automatically converts to system-appropriate separators.

Issue: Lost track of file location after move

Solution: The move operation returns both source and destination URIs. Use SearchMemories with content snippets to relocate files if URIs are lost.

Issue: Broken [[concept]] relationships after reorganization

Solution: Use BuildContext on affected concepts to identify files that reference moved content. Update references using EditMemory with find_replace operations.

Issue: Directory structure becomes too deep

Solution: Plan folder hierarchies with 2-4 levels maximum. Prefer broader categories over deep nesting for better navigation and [[concept]] discovery.

Advanced Usage Patterns

Batch Organization Strategy

Use SearchMemories to identify files needing organization
Plan destination structure based on [[concept]] relationships
Execute moves from least to most specific (general → detailed categories)
Use BuildContext to verify [[concept]] relationships remain intact
Update cross-references using EditMemory if needed

Knowledge Base Restructuring

Map current organization with ListMemories across folders
Identify natural [[concept]] clusters through SearchMemories
Design new hierarchy based on actual usage patterns
Move files in dependency order (referenced files first)
Validate with SearchMemories that findability is improved

URI Management Best Practices

Always store URIs returned from MoveMemory for reference updates
Use consistent naming patterns that reflect [[concept]] relationships
Consider how file paths will appear in BuildContext traversals
Plan folder names that align with your [[WikiLink]] concept naming

Integration with Knowledge Graph

Move files before major Sync operations to ensure clean graph structure
Consider how file organization affects [[concept]] relationship discovery
Use folder structures that mirror your conceptual hierarchies
Organize related files near each other to strengthen [[concept]] clustering

This tool is essential for maintaining an organized, navigable knowledge base that supports effective [[concept]] discovery and relationship building within the Maenifold architecture.