With basic-memory installed, the next step is to teach it where your knowledge lives. You don't move or copy your files. Instead, you create a "project" that points to your existing folders, like an Obsidian vault or a directory of technical documents. This process builds a high-speed index of your notes, making them available for search and analysis.

The core command for this is bm project. Let's start by adding your main Obsidian vault.

Executing this command kicks off an indexing process. The tool scans every markdown file in the specified path, parsing the content and metadata. It then stores this information in a local SQLite database file. Your original markdown files are never modified; they remain the single source of truth. The SQLite file is just a fast, searchable cache.

For a large vault with thousands of notes, it's crucial to confirm that everything was indexed correctly. The first command to use is bm status with the --verbose flag, which provides a detailed look at the system's state.

The Indexed Documents count should match the number of notes in your vault. If the numbers seem off, it might indicate an issue with file permissions or unsupported file types. For a more focused view on a single project, use bm project info.

This command gives you a summary for that specific project, including its name, path, and total indexed files. It's a quick way to check on one project without seeing the status of the entire system.

You can manage several knowledge bases at once. For instance, you might have your main Obsidian vault and a separate folder for work-related documentation. You can add the second folder as another project.

Now you have two distinct projects. To see all of them, you use the list subcommand.

When you run a search or interact with your memories, the system needs to know which project to target. One project is always set as the default. To change it, use the default command.

Now, all commands will run against your work documentation unless you specify otherwise. If a project is no longer needed, you can remove it. This only deletes the index from basic-memory, not your actual files.

Let's review the main project commands.

Mastering these commands is the foundation for turning your static notes into a dynamic, queryable knowledge base ready for more advanced data pipelines.