Glossary
Backlinks
Definition: the set of pages that link to a given page. Computed automatically from wikilinks, surfaced on each page so connections are visible from both ends.
Plain-English definition
Backlinks are the inverse of wikilinks. If page A links to page B with [[B]], then page B's backlinks panel includes A. The connection becomes visible from both sides without you having to add it twice.
Why they matter
- Old thinking resurfaces. Writing about X today reveals all the past pages that mentioned X.
- You can find work without remembering filing decisions — adjacent thinking surfaces itself.
- Atomic notes get reused without copy-paste — one definition, many writeups.
- Long projects accrete context: the project page's backlinks panel becomes a working memory.
In MindWiki specifically
- Backlinks panel on each page (macOS app).
- Backlinks updated as you write — no manual rebuild.
- Exposed to AI clients via the MCP read endpoints.