---
name: zk-open
description: Open a note in the default editor by ID, title, or keyword. Use when the user wants to edit or view a specific note.
model: sonnet
---

# zk-open

Open a note from `~/notes/` in the default editor (configured in `.zk/config.toml`).

## When to Use

- "Open my MedGemma note"
- "Edit the Saccade project"
- "Open note abc12345"
- "Open the T4 task"

## Procedure

### 1. Resolve the note

If the user gave a bare ID (e.g. `y1g3oxl4`), use it directly.

Otherwise, search by keyword:

```bash
zk list --match "<query>" --format "{{filename-stem}} {{title}} ({{path}})" --notebook-dir ~/notes 2>/dev/null
```

If multiple matches, show them and ask which one.

### 2. Open with the user's `$VISUAL` or `$EDITOR`

Get the resolved absolute path first:

```bash
zk list --match "<query>" --format "{{absolute-path}}" --limit 1 --notebook-dir ~/notes 2>/dev/null
```

Then open it non-blocking (so the shell returns immediately):

```bash
# Prefer $VISUAL, fall back to $EDITOR, then code, then xdg-open
${VISUAL:-${EDITOR:-code}} --no-wait <absolute-path> 2>/dev/null \
  || emacsclient --no-wait <absolute-path> 2>/dev/null \
  || code --no-wait <absolute-path> 2>/dev/null
```

Do NOT use `zk edit` — it requires an interactive TTY which is unavailable in Claude Code.

### 3. Confirm

Report which note was opened: `Opened [[<id>]] <title>`.

## Notes

- If the query is ambiguous, list candidates before opening.
- Prefer exact ID matches over fuzzy title matches to avoid opening the wrong note.

## User Input

$ARGUMENTS - Note ID, title, or keyword to search for