frontend/src/api/snippets.ts

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ export interface Snippet {
   created_at: string;
   updated_at: string;
   snippet: SnippetFields;
+  systems?: { id: number; name: string }[];
 }
 
 /** Lightweight list item from the knowledge preview feed. Note: the `snippet`
@@ -63,14 +64,18 @@ export interface SnippetInput {
   locations?: SnippetLocation[];
   tags?: string[];
   project_id?: number | null;
+  system_ids?: number[];
+  /** Create only: record it even though a near-duplicate already exists. */
+  force?: boolean;
 }
 
 export async function listSnippets(
-  params: { q?: string; tag?: string } = {},
+  params: { q?: string; tag?: string; projectId?: number | null } = {},
 ): Promise<{ snippets: SnippetListItem[]; total: number }> {
   const qs = new URLSearchParams();
   if (params.q) qs.set("q", params.q);
   if (params.tag) qs.set("tag", params.tag);
+  if (params.projectId) qs.set("project_id", String(params.projectId));
   const query = qs.toString();
   return apiGet(`/api/snippets${query ? `?${query}` : ""}`);
 }

frontend/src/views/SnippetEditorView.vue

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, computed, onMounted, nextTick } from "vue";
+import { ref, computed, onMounted, nextTick, watch } from "vue";
 import { useRoute, useRouter } from "vue-router";
 import {
   getSnippet,
@@ -8,11 +8,15 @@ import {
   type SnippetInput,
   type SnippetLocation,
 } from "@/api/snippets";
+import { ApiError } from "@/api/client";
+import ProjectSelector from "@/components/ProjectSelector.vue";
+import { useSystemsStore } from "@/stores/systems";
 import { useToastStore } from "@/stores/toast";
 
 const route = useRoute();
 const router = useRouter();
 const toast = useToastStore();
+const systemsStore = useSystemsStore();
 
 const editId = computed(() => (route.params.id ? Number(route.params.id) : null));
 const isEditing = computed(() => editId.value !== null);
@@ -47,17 +51,66 @@ function removeLocation(i: number) {
   locations.value.splice(i, 1);
 }
 const tagsText = ref("");
+const projectId = ref<number | null>(null);
+const systemIds = ref<number[]>([]);
 const loading = ref(false);
 const saving = ref(false);
 const loadError = ref<string | null>(null);
 const nameRef = ref<HTMLInputElement | null>(null);
 
+// Systems belong to a project, so the picker only has anything to offer once
+// one is chosen — and it repopulates when the project changes.
+const projectSystems = computed(() =>
+  projectId.value ? (systemsStore.systemsByProject[projectId.value] ?? []) : [],
+);
+
+async function loadSystems() {
+  if (!projectId.value) return;
+  try {
+    await systemsStore.fetchSystems(projectId.value);
+  } catch {
+    /* non-fatal — the systems picker just won't populate */
+  }
+}
+
+watch(projectId, (next, prev) => {
+  // Moving to another project invalidates system ids from the old one.
+  if (prev !== null && next !== prev) systemIds.value = [];
+  loadSystems();
+});
+
 const canSave = computed(
   () => !!form.value.name.trim() && !!form.value.code.trim() && !saving.value,
 );
 
+// A near-duplicate blocked on create: the same reusable thing is already
+// recorded. Recording it twice is what merge then has to undo, so the editor
+// offers the existing record before it offers to save anyway.
+interface DuplicateHit {
+  existing_id: number;
+  existing_title: string;
+}
+const duplicate = ref<DuplicateHit | null>(null);
+const forceCreate = ref(false);
+
+function duplicateFrom(err: unknown): DuplicateHit | null {
+  if (!(err instanceof ApiError) || err.status !== 409) return null;
+  const body = err.body as Record<string, unknown>;
+  if (!body.duplicate) return null;
+  return {
+    existing_id: Number(body.existing_id),
+    existing_title: String(body.existing_title ?? "an existing snippet"),
+  };
+}
+
 async function load() {
   if (!isEditing.value) {
+    // Recording from a project page carries the project through, so the snippet
+    // lands where the work is instead of unfiled.
+    if (route.query.projectId) {
+      projectId.value = Number(route.query.projectId);
+      await loadSystems();
+    }
     await nextTick();
     nameRef.value?.focus();
     return;
@@ -82,6 +135,9 @@ async function load() {
     tagsText.value = s.tags
       .filter((t) => t !== "snippet" && t !== f.language)
       .join(", ");
+    projectId.value = s.project_id ?? null;
+    systemIds.value = (s.systems ?? []).map((sys) => sys.id);
+    await loadSystems();
   } catch {
     loadError.value = "Couldn't load this snippet to edit.";
   } finally {
@@ -115,20 +171,37 @@ async function save() {
     when_to_use: form.value.when_to_use.trim(),
     locations: cleanLocations(),
     tags: parseTags(),
+    project_id: projectId.value,
+    system_ids: systemIds.value,
   };
+  if (forceCreate.value) payload.force = true;
   try {
     const result = isEditing.value
       ? await updateSnippet(editId.value!, payload)
       : await createSnippet(payload);
     toast.show(isEditing.value ? "Snippet saved" : "Snippet created");
     router.push(`/snippets/${result.id}`);
-  } catch {
+  } catch (err) {
+    // A blocked near-duplicate isn't a failure — it's the record telling you
+    // this already exists. Offer the existing one rather than a red toast.
+    const dup = duplicateFrom(err);
+    if (dup) {
+      duplicate.value = dup;
+      saving.value = false;
+      return;
+    }
     toast.show("Failed to save snippet", "error");
   } finally {
     saving.value = false;
   }
 }
 
+async function saveAnyway() {
+  duplicate.value = null;
+  forceCreate.value = true;
+  await save();
+}
+
 function cancel() {
   if (isEditing.value) router.push(`/snippets/${editId.value}`);
   else router.push("/snippets");
@@ -243,6 +316,41 @@ function cancel() {
         <p class="hint">Extra tags. Language and “snippet” are added automatically.</p>
       </div>
 
+      <div class="field">
+        <label for="sn-project">Project</label>
+        <ProjectSelector id="sn-project" v-model="projectId" />
+        <p class="hint">
+          Snippets surface proactively within their project; search reaches across all of them.
+        </p>
+      </div>
+
+      <div v-if="projectId" class="field">
+        <span class="field-label">Systems</span>
+        <div v-if="projectSystems.length" class="systems">
+          <label v-for="s in projectSystems" :key="s.id" class="system-opt">
+            <input type="checkbox" :value="s.id" v-model="systemIds" />
+            <span>{{ s.name }}</span>
+          </label>
+        </div>
+        <p v-else class="hint">No systems in this project yet.</p>
+      </div>
+
+      <div v-if="duplicate" class="duplicate" role="alert">
+        <p class="duplicate-title">This may already be recorded</p>
+        <p class="duplicate-body">
+          A similar snippet exists —
+          <router-link :to="`/snippets/${duplicate.existing_id}`">
+            {{ duplicate.existing_title }}
+          </router-link
+          >. Reuse or edit that one rather than keeping two copies of the same thing.
+        </p>
+        <div class="duplicate-actions">
+          <button type="button" class="btn-secondary" @click="saveAnyway">
+            Record it anyway
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
       <div class="actions">
         <button type="button" class="btn-secondary" @click="cancel">Cancel</button>
         <button type="submit" class="btn-primary" :disabled="!canSave">
@@ -403,6 +511,61 @@ function cancel() {
   }
 }
 
+.field-label {
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+}
+.systems {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.25rem;
+  max-height: 160px;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+}
+.system-opt {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.45rem;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+.system-opt input {
+  accent-color: var(--color-primary);
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.duplicate {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  gap: 0.4rem;
+  padding: 0.85rem 1rem;
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-left: 3px solid var(--color-warning, var(--color-primary));
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  background: var(--color-bg-secondary);
+}
+.duplicate-title {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  font-weight: 500;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+}
+.duplicate-body {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  line-height: 1.5;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+}
+.duplicate-body a {
+  color: var(--color-primary);
+}
+.duplicate-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+}
+
 .actions {
   display: flex;
   justify-content: flex-end;

plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "scribe",
   "description": "Scribe system-of-record for Claude Code: MCP tools over your notes/tasks/projects/rules, a session-start push channel that surfaces your always-on rules + active-project context, process-skills (writing-plans, systematic-debugging, verification, brainstorming, reusing-code), and your saved Scribe Processes auto-surfaced as skills (/scribe:sync). Replaces superpowers + file-memory with one app-backed plugin.",
-  "version": "0.1.14",
+  "version": "0.1.15",
   "author": { "name": "Bryan Van Deusen" },
   "mcpServers": {
     "scribe": {

plugin/skills/reusing-code/SKILL.md

@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ through recall/auto-inject; this skill is the active reflex around that.
 - About to write a utility, hook, formatter, adapter, or a reusable component?
   **Search snippets before writing it.** `list_snippets(q="…")` (or a plain
   `search`) — a matching one may already exist, in this project or another.
+  `list_snippets` searches every project by default; that's deliberate, since a
+  helper you need here was quite possibly written somewhere else. Narrow with
+  `project_id` only when you specifically want this project's own.
 - If a snippet fits, pull it in full with `get_snippet(id)` and reuse it — its
   `location` points at the reference implementation. Adapt, don't re-derive.
 - If auto-inject already surfaced a snippet title that looks relevant, that's
@@ -37,6 +40,18 @@ through recall/auto-inject; this skill is the active reflex around that.
   per reusable thing. If it already exists, `update_snippet` it instead of
   recording a second copy (the create gate will flag a near-duplicate anyway).
 
+## Keep the record honest
+
+A recorded snippet is offered as prior art on every matching turn, so a wrong
+one costs more than a missing one.
+
+- Details gone stale — a renamed symbol, a moved file, a signature that's
+  changed? Fix it with `update_snippet`. Passing an **empty string** clears a
+  field, so a wrong signature or location can be removed, not just written over.
+- Recorded something that turned out not to be reusable, or that no longer
+  exists? Retire it with `delete_snippet` — it goes to the trash and can be
+  restored. Don't leave it competing for attention.
+
 ## Found the same thing in several places — unify it
 
 When you notice the same reusable thing recorded (or written) as several

src/scribe/mcp/server.py

@@ -223,7 +223,10 @@ project_id, system_ids) so a later session is offered it. Make when_to_use sharp
 with update_snippet rather than recording a second copy; when the same reusable
 thing already exists as several one-offs, unify them into one canonical record
 with merge_snippets (it folds every call site in as a location and trashes the
-duplicates).
+duplicates). Keep the record honest: a snippet whose details have gone stale can
+be corrected with update_snippet (an empty string clears a field), and one that
+is wrong or obsolete should be retired with delete_snippet — a bad snippet keeps
+being offered as prior art, which costs more than none at all.
 
 When developing Scribe itself, honor its multi-user sharing ACL: scope every
 read and mutation of user data by owner + shares — never assume a single

src/scribe/mcp/tools/snippets.py

@@ -16,13 +16,19 @@ from scribe.services import snippets as snippets_svc
 from scribe.services import systems as systems_svc
 
 
-async def list_snippets(q: str = "", tag: str = "", limit: int = 50) -> dict:
+async def list_snippets(
+    q: str = "", tag: str = "", limit: int = 50, project_id: int = 0,
+) -> dict:
     """List recorded snippets (reusable functions/components).
 
     Args:
-        q: Free-text search across name + body (optional).
+        q: Free-text search across name + body (optional). Matches on meaning as
+            well as wording, so describe what you need the code to DO.
         tag: Filter to a single tag, e.g. a language like "python" (optional).
         limit: Max results (1-100).
+        project_id: Narrow to one project. 0 (default) searches every project —
+            usually what you want, since a helper you need here may well have
+            been written somewhere else.
 
     Returns {"snippets": [{id, title, tags, preview}], "total": int}. The title
     reads "name — when to reach for it"; open one in full with get_snippet(id).
@@ -30,6 +36,7 @@ async def list_snippets(q: str = "", tag: str = "", limit: int = 50) -> dict:
     uid = current_user_id()
     items, total = await snippets_svc.list_snippets(
         uid, q=q or None, tag=tag, limit=max(1, min(limit, 100)),
+        project_id=project_id or None,
     )
     return {"snippets": items, "total": total}
 
@@ -43,6 +50,7 @@ async def create_snippet(
     repo: str = "",
     path: str = "",
     symbol: str = "",
+    locations: list[dict] | None = None,
     tags: list[str] | None = None,
     project_id: int = 0,
     system_ids: list[int] | None = None,
@@ -65,6 +73,9 @@ async def create_snippet(
         when_to_use: One line on when to reach for it — this becomes part of the
             title, so it's what a recall menu shows. Keep it sharp.
         repo/path/symbol: Canonical location of the reference implementation.
+        locations: Several locations at once, as [{"repo","path","symbol"}, ...],
+            when you already know the thing lives in more than one place. Takes
+            precedence over the single repo/path/symbol shorthand.
         tags: Extra plain-string tags (language + "snippet" are added for you).
         project_id: Associate with a project (0 = no project). Snippets surface
             proactively within their project; search finds them across projects.
@@ -87,6 +98,7 @@ async def create_snippet(
     body = snippets_svc.compose_body(
         code=code, language=language, signature=signature,
         when_to_use=when_to_use, repo=repo, path=path, symbol=symbol,
+        locations=locations,
     )
     if not force:
         dup = await dedup_svc.find_duplicate_note(
@@ -99,7 +111,7 @@ async def create_snippet(
     note = await snippets_svc.create_snippet(
         uid, name=name, code=code, language=language, signature=signature,
         when_to_use=when_to_use, repo=repo, path=path, symbol=symbol,
-        tags=tags, project_id=project_id or None,
+        locations=locations, tags=tags, project_id=project_id or None,
     )
     if system_ids:
         await systems_svc.set_record_systems(uid, note.id, system_ids)
@@ -123,31 +135,48 @@ async def get_snippet(snippet_id: int) -> dict:
 
 async def update_snippet(
     snippet_id: int,
-    name: str = "",
-    code: str = "",
-    language: str = "",
-    signature: str = "",
-    when_to_use: str = "",
-    repo: str = "",
-    path: str = "",
-    symbol: str = "",
+    name: str | None = None,
+    code: str | None = None,
+    language: str | None = None,
+    signature: str | None = None,
+    when_to_use: str | None = None,
+    repo: str | None = None,
+    path: str | None = None,
+    symbol: str | None = None,
+    locations: list[dict] | None = None,
     tags: list[str] | None = None,
     project_id: int = 0,
     system_ids: list[int] | None = None,
 ) -> dict:
-    """Update a snippet. Only provided fields change — empty strings leave that
-    field unchanged; pass tags to replace the extra-tag set."""
-    uid = current_user_id()
+    """Update a snippet. Only the fields you pass change.
 
-    def _n(v: str) -> str | None:
-        return v if v != "" else None
+    An omitted field is left alone; an EMPTY STRING clears it — so a stale
+    signature, a wrong "when to use", or an obsolete location can be removed, not
+    just overwritten. A snippet that surfaces in recall with wrong details is
+    worse than none, so correcting downward has to be possible.
+
+    Args:
+        locations: Replace the whole location set, as [{"repo","path","symbol"},
+            ...]. Pass [] to clear every location. The single repo/path/symbol
+            args instead overlay onto the FIRST location, leaving the rest.
+        tags: Replaces the extra-tag set (language + "snippet" are re-derived).
+        project_id: 0 leaves it unchanged, -1 detaches it from its project, a
+            positive id moves it.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    if project_id == 0:
+        project = snippets_svc.UNSET
+    elif project_id < 0:
+        project = None
+    else:
+        project = project_id
 
     note = await snippets_svc.update_snippet(
         uid, snippet_id,
-        name=_n(name), code=_n(code), language=_n(language),
-        signature=_n(signature), when_to_use=_n(when_to_use),
-        repo=_n(repo), path=_n(path), symbol=_n(symbol),
-        tags=tags, project_id=project_id or None,
+        name=name, code=code, language=language,
+        signature=signature, when_to_use=when_to_use,
+        repo=repo, path=path, symbol=symbol,
+        locations=locations, tags=tags, project_id=project,
     )
     if note is None:
         raise ValueError(f"snippet {snippet_id} not found")
@@ -161,6 +190,20 @@ async def update_snippet(
     return data
 
 
+async def delete_snippet(snippet_id: int) -> dict:
+    """Retire a snippet you recorded — it moves to the trash and is recoverable.
+
+    Reach for this when a snippet is wrong, obsolete, or was never worth keeping.
+    A recorded snippet is offered as prior art on every matching turn, so a bad
+    one costs more than a missing one. If instead it's a duplicate of something
+    that should survive, prefer merge_snippets — that keeps the call sites.
+    """
+    uid = current_user_id()
+    if not await snippets_svc.delete_snippet(uid, snippet_id):
+        raise ValueError(f"snippet {snippet_id} not found")
+    return {"deleted": True, "id": snippet_id}
+
+
 async def merge_snippets(target_id: int, source_ids: list[int]) -> dict:
     """Unify duplicate/variant snippets INTO one canonical record — the cure for
     the same reusable thing recorded as several one-offs.
@@ -194,5 +237,8 @@ async def merge_snippets(target_id: int, source_ids: list[int]) -> dict:
 
 
 def register(mcp) -> None:
-    for fn in (list_snippets, create_snippet, get_snippet, update_snippet, merge_snippets):
+    for fn in (
+        list_snippets, create_snippet, get_snippet, update_snippet,
+        delete_snippet, merge_snippets,
+    ):
         mcp.tool(name=fn.__name__)(fn)

src/scribe/routes/snippets.py

@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ from quart import Blueprint, jsonify, request
 
 from scribe.auth import get_current_user_id, login_required
 from scribe.routes.utils import not_found, parse_pagination
+from scribe.services import dedup as dedup_svc
 from scribe.services import snippets as snippets_svc
+from scribe.services import systems as systems_svc
 from scribe.services.access import can_write_note
 from scribe.services.notes import get_note_for_user
 
@@ -46,9 +48,13 @@ async def list_snippets_route():
     uid = get_current_user_id()
     q = request.args.get("q") or None
     tag = request.args.get("tag", "")
+    try:
+        project_id = int(request.args.get("project_id", 0) or 0) or None
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        project_id = None
     limit, offset = parse_pagination()
     items, total = await snippets_svc.list_snippets(
-        uid, q=q, tag=tag, limit=limit, offset=offset,
+        uid, q=q, tag=tag, limit=limit, offset=offset, project_id=project_id,
     )
     return jsonify({"snippets": items, "total": total})
 
@@ -63,6 +69,31 @@ async def create_snippet_route():
     if not name or not code:
         return jsonify({"error": "name and code are required"}), 400
     project_id = data.get("project_id") or None
+
+    # Same near-duplicate gate the MCP create path applies: recording the same
+    # reusable thing twice is what merge then has to undo, so catch it here too.
+    # `force` is the deliberate override once the operator has seen the warning.
+    if not data.get("force"):
+        dup = await dedup_svc.find_duplicate_note(
+            uid,
+            snippets_svc.compose_title(name, data.get("when_to_use", "")),
+            snippets_svc.compose_body(
+                code=data.get("code", ""),
+                language=data.get("language", ""),
+                signature=data.get("signature", ""),
+                when_to_use=data.get("when_to_use", ""),
+                repo=data.get("repo", ""),
+                path=data.get("path", ""),
+                symbol=data.get("symbol", ""),
+                locations=data.get("locations"),
+            ),
+            project_id=project_id,
+            is_task=False,
+            note_type=snippets_svc.SNIPPET_NOTE_TYPE,
+        )
+        if dup is not None:
+            return jsonify(dedup_svc.duplicate_response(dup, "snippet")), 409
+
     note = await snippets_svc.create_snippet(
         uid,
         name=name,
@@ -77,7 +108,13 @@ async def create_snippet_route():
         tags=data.get("tags"),
         project_id=project_id,
     )
-    return jsonify(snippets_svc.snippet_to_dict(note)), 201
+    if data.get("system_ids") is not None:
+        await systems_svc.set_record_systems(uid, note.id, data["system_ids"])
+    out = snippets_svc.snippet_to_dict(note)
+    out["systems"] = [
+        s.to_dict() for s in await systems_svc.list_record_systems(uid, note.id)
+    ]
+    return jsonify(out), 201
 
 
 @snippets_bp.route("/<int:snippet_id>", methods=["GET"])
@@ -90,6 +127,13 @@ async def get_snippet_route(snippet_id: int):
     note, permission = loaded
     data = snippets_svc.snippet_to_dict(note)
     data["permission"] = permission
+    # Read the association as the OWNER: a shared reader isn't scoped to the
+    # owner's project, so their own id would come back empty (mirrors the
+    # write-as-owner pattern this module already uses).
+    data["systems"] = [
+        s.to_dict()
+        for s in await systems_svc.list_record_systems(note.user_id, snippet_id)
+    ]
     return jsonify(data)
 
 
@@ -115,12 +159,20 @@ async def update_snippet_route(snippet_id: int):
     if "tags" in data:
         kwargs["tags"] = data["tags"]
     if "project_id" in data:
+        # A present-but-empty project_id is a deliberate detach, not "unchanged"
+        # — the service distinguishes the two via its UNSET sentinel.
         kwargs["project_id"] = data["project_id"] or None
 
     updated = await snippets_svc.update_snippet(owner_uid, snippet_id, **kwargs)
     if updated is None:
         return not_found("Snippet")
-    return jsonify(snippets_svc.snippet_to_dict(updated))
+    if data.get("system_ids") is not None:
+        await systems_svc.set_record_systems(owner_uid, snippet_id, data["system_ids"])
+    out = snippets_svc.snippet_to_dict(updated)
+    out["systems"] = [
+        s.to_dict() for s in await systems_svc.list_record_systems(owner_uid, snippet_id)
+    ]
+    return jsonify(out)
 
 
 @snippets_bp.route("/<int:snippet_id>/merge", methods=["POST"])
@@ -173,8 +225,6 @@ async def delete_snippet_route(snippet_id: int):
     note, _ = loaded
     if not await can_write_note(uid, snippet_id):
         return jsonify({"error": "Permission denied"}), 403
-    from scribe.services.trash import delete as trash_delete
-    batch = await trash_delete(note.user_id, "note", snippet_id)
-    if batch is None:
+    if not await snippets_svc.delete_snippet(note.user_id, snippet_id):
         return not_found("Snippet")
     return "", 204

src/scribe/services/knowledge.py

@@ -59,21 +59,27 @@ async def query_knowledge(
     q: str | None,
     limit: int,
     offset: int,
+    project_id: int | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[list[dict], int]:
     """Query knowledge objects (non-task notes) with filters.
 
+    `project_id` narrows to one project (None = every project).
+
     Returns (items, total_count).
     """
     # Semantic search path — scores take priority over sort
     if q:
         return await _semantic_knowledge_search(
-            user_id, q, note_type=note_type, tags=tags, limit=limit, offset=offset
+            user_id, q, note_type=note_type, tags=tags, limit=limit,
+            offset=offset, project_id=project_id,
         )
 
     async with async_session() as session:
         base = select(Note).where(Note.user_id == user_id)
 
         base = _apply_type_filter(base, note_type)
+        if project_id is not None:
+            base = base.where(Note.project_id == project_id)
 
         for tag in tags:
             base = base.where(Note.tags.contains([tag]))
@@ -104,6 +110,7 @@ async def _semantic_knowledge_search(
     tags: list[str],
     limit: int,
     offset: int,
+    project_id: int | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[list[dict], int]:
     """Hybrid search: keyword matches first (title/body ILIKE), then semantic results.
 
@@ -130,6 +137,8 @@ async def _semantic_knowledge_search(
                 .where(Note.title.ilike(pattern) | Note.body.ilike(pattern))
             )
             base = _apply_type_filter(base, note_type)
+            if project_id is not None:
+                base = base.where(Note.project_id == project_id)
             for tag in tags:
                 base = base.where(Note.tags.contains([tag]))
             # Title matches first, then body-only matches, newest first within each
@@ -152,6 +161,7 @@ async def _semantic_knowledge_search(
             limit=min(200, limit * 4),
             threshold=0.3,
             is_task=is_task_filter,
+            project_id=project_id,
         )
         for _score, note in candidates:
             if note.deleted_at is not None:

src/scribe/services/snippets.py

@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ from scribe.services import notes as notes_svc
 SNIPPET_NOTE_TYPE = "snippet"
 SNIPPET_TAG = "snippet"
 
+# Sentinel for "argument not supplied" on update, so None stays available as a
+# real value meaning "clear this". Needed for project_id, where 0 is not a valid
+# id and None is the clear — the two can't share one default.
+UNSET: object = object()
+
 
 def _embed_snippet(note) -> None:
     """Fire-and-forget embedding refresh for a snippet.
@@ -235,11 +240,13 @@ def parse_snippet_fields(
         fields["language"] = m.group(1).strip()
         fields["code"] = m.group(2)
 
-    if not fields["language"]:
-        for t in tags or []:
-            if t and t != SNIPPET_TAG:
-                fields["language"] = t
-                break
+    # Language fallback for a body whose code fence lost its language. Only the
+    # FIRST tag can be trusted: compose_tags emits [language, "snippet", *caller],
+    # so a leading tag that isn't the marker is the language — while a leading
+    # marker means no language was recorded. Scanning for "first tag that isn't
+    # the marker" instead would promote a caller's plain tag to the language.
+    if not fields["language"] and tags and tags[0] != SNIPPET_TAG:
+        fields["language"] = tags[0]
     return fields
 
 
@@ -302,8 +309,13 @@ async def list_snippets(
     tag: str = "",
     limit: int = 50,
     offset: int = 0,
+    project_id: int | None = None,
 ) -> tuple[list[dict], int]:
-    """List snippets (id/title/tags/preview dicts), most-recently-updated first."""
+    """List snippets (id/title/tags/preview dicts), most-recently-updated first.
+
+    ``project_id`` narrows to one project; omit it to reach across every project
+    — which is the point when the thing you're about to write was already solved
+    somewhere else."""
     return await knowledge_svc.query_knowledge(
         user_id=user_id,
         note_type=SNIPPET_NOTE_TYPE,
@@ -312,6 +324,7 @@ async def list_snippets(
         q=q,
         limit=max(1, min(limit, 100)),
         offset=max(0, offset),
+        project_id=project_id,
     )
 
 
@@ -329,12 +342,15 @@ async def update_snippet(
     symbol: str | None = None,
     locations: list[dict] | None = None,
     tags: list[str] | None = None,
-    project_id: int | None = None,
+    project_id: int | None | object = UNSET,
 ):
     """Partial update: only fields passed (not None) change. Re-serializes the
     merged field set back into title/body/tags. Returns the Note, or None if the
     id isn't a snippet.
 
+    ``project_id``: omit to leave unchanged, pass None to detach from its
+    project, pass an id to move it.
+
     Locations: ``locations`` replaces the whole set; else a legacy single
     ``repo``/``path``/``symbol`` overlays onto the first existing location; else
     the existing locations are kept."""
@@ -377,7 +393,7 @@ async def update_snippet(
     fields["tags"] = compose_tags(
         merged["language"], tags if tags is not None else existing_extra
     )
-    if project_id is not None:
+    if project_id is not UNSET:
         fields["project_id"] = project_id
 
     updated = await notes_svc.update_note(user_id, snippet_id, **fields)
@@ -387,6 +403,21 @@ async def update_snippet(
     return updated
 
 
+async def delete_snippet(user_id: int, snippet_id: int) -> bool:
+    """Retire a snippet to the trash (recoverable). Returns False if the id isn't
+    the user's snippet.
+
+    Recall makes this corrective, not merely tidy: a wrong or obsolete snippet
+    doesn't sit quietly — it keeps being offered as prior art. Removing it has to
+    be reachable from wherever it was recorded.
+    """
+    note = await get_snippet(user_id, snippet_id)
+    if note is None:
+        return False
+    from scribe.services.trash import delete as trash_delete
+    return await trash_delete(note.user_id, "note", snippet_id) is not None
+
+
 # --- merge: unify found one-offs into one canonical snippet ------------------
 
 def _extra_tags(tags: list[str] | None, language: str = "") -> list[str]:

tests/test_mcp_tool_snippets.py

@@ -82,6 +82,73 @@ async def test_update_snippet_missing_raises():
             await update_snippet(123, name="x")
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_update_snippet_empty_string_clears_a_field():
+    # An omitted field must stay None ("leave alone"), but an explicit empty
+    # string has to reach the service as "" so a stale field can be removed.
+    updated = _fake_snippet()
+    with patch("scribe.services.snippets.update_snippet",
+               AsyncMock(return_value=updated)) as mock_update:
+        from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import update_snippet
+        await update_snippet(1, signature="")
+    kwargs = mock_update.await_args.kwargs
+    assert kwargs["signature"] == ""      # cleared
+    assert kwargs["name"] is None         # untouched
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_update_snippet_project_id_conventions():
+    from scribe.services import snippets as snippets_svc
+    updated = _fake_snippet()
+    cases = {0: snippets_svc.UNSET, -1: None, 5: 5}
+    for given, expected in cases.items():
+        with patch("scribe.services.snippets.update_snippet",
+                   AsyncMock(return_value=updated)) as mock_update:
+            from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import update_snippet
+            await update_snippet(1, project_id=given)
+        assert mock_update.await_args.kwargs["project_id"] is expected
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_create_and_update_pass_locations_through():
+    locs = [{"repo": "a", "path": "a.py", "symbol": "f"},
+            {"repo": "b", "path": "b.py", "symbol": "g"}]
+    created = _fake_snippet()
+    with patch("scribe.services.dedup.find_duplicate_note", AsyncMock(return_value=None)), \
+         patch("scribe.services.snippets.create_snippet",
+               AsyncMock(return_value=created)) as mock_create:
+        from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import create_snippet
+        await create_snippet(name="f", code="x", locations=locs)
+    assert mock_create.await_args.kwargs["locations"] == locs
+
+    with patch("scribe.services.snippets.update_snippet",
+               AsyncMock(return_value=created)) as mock_update:
+        from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import update_snippet
+        await update_snippet(1, locations=locs)
+    assert mock_update.await_args.kwargs["locations"] == locs
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_delete_snippet_retires_or_raises():
+    from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import delete_snippet
+    with patch("scribe.services.snippets.delete_snippet", AsyncMock(return_value=True)):
+        assert await delete_snippet(1) == {"deleted": True, "id": 1}
+    with patch("scribe.services.snippets.delete_snippet", AsyncMock(return_value=False)):
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+            await delete_snippet(404)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_list_snippets_defaults_to_every_project():
+    with patch("scribe.services.snippets.list_snippets",
+               AsyncMock(return_value=([], 0))) as mock_list:
+        from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import list_snippets
+        await list_snippets(q="debounce")
+        assert mock_list.await_args.kwargs["project_id"] is None
+        await list_snippets(q="debounce", project_id=3)
+        assert mock_list.await_args.kwargs["project_id"] == 3
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_merge_snippets_requires_a_source():
     from scribe.mcp.tools.snippets import merge_snippets
@@ -128,5 +195,5 @@ def test_register_attaches_all_tools():
     snippets.register(FakeMcp())
     assert set(names) == {
         "list_snippets", "create_snippet", "get_snippet", "update_snippet",
-        "merge_snippets",
+        "delete_snippet", "merge_snippets",
     }

tests/test_routes_snippets.py

@@ -27,12 +27,51 @@ def test_snippet_handlers_callable():
 def test_service_functions_take_user_id():
     """Routes must call snippet services with user_id — verify the contract."""
     from scribe.services import snippets as svc
-    for fn_name in ("create_snippet", "list_snippets", "get_snippet", "update_snippet"):
+    for fn_name in (
+        "create_snippet", "list_snippets", "get_snippet", "update_snippet",
+        "delete_snippet", "merge_snippets",
+    ):
         fn = getattr(svc, fn_name)
         assert callable(fn)
         assert "user_id" in inspect.signature(fn).parameters
 
 
+def test_agent_and_web_surfaces_stay_at_parity():
+    """The MCP tools and the REST routes are two callers of one service; a
+    capability on one has to exist on the other (rule #33). This guard exists
+    because they drifted apart once: MCP had no delete or `locations`, and the
+    web side had no `system_ids` and no near-duplicate gate."""
+    from scribe.mcp.tools import snippets as tools
+    from scribe.routes import snippets as routes
+
+    # Every write verb the web surface offers, the agent surface offers too.
+    for verb in ("create", "get", "list", "update", "delete", "merge"):
+        assert callable(getattr(tools, f"{verb}_snippets", None) or
+                        getattr(tools, f"{verb}_snippet", None)), f"MCP lacks {verb}"
+
+    # Multi-location records are reachable from both.
+    assert "locations" in inspect.signature(tools.create_snippet).parameters
+    assert "locations" in inspect.signature(tools.update_snippet).parameters
+    assert "locations" in inspect.getsource(routes.create_snippet_route)
+    assert "locations" in inspect.getsource(routes.update_snippet_route)
+
+    # System association and the duplicate gate reach both.
+    assert "system_ids" in inspect.signature(tools.create_snippet).parameters
+    for route in (routes.create_snippet_route, routes.update_snippet_route):
+        assert "system_ids" in inspect.getsource(route)
+    assert "find_duplicate_note" in inspect.getsource(routes.create_snippet_route)
+
+
+def test_project_scoping_reaches_every_caller():
+    """A snippet search has to be narrowable to one project from both surfaces."""
+    from scribe.mcp.tools import snippets as tools
+    from scribe.routes import snippets as routes
+    from scribe.services import snippets as svc
+    assert "project_id" in inspect.signature(svc.list_snippets).parameters
+    assert "project_id" in inspect.signature(tools.list_snippets).parameters
+    assert "project_id" in inspect.getsource(routes.list_snippets_route)
+
+
 def test_update_field_map_matches_service_kwargs():
     """Every field the PATCH route forwards must be a real update_snippet kwarg
     (rule #33 interface-contract parity)."""

tests/test_services_snippets.py

@@ -62,6 +62,26 @@ def test_parse_falls_back_to_tag_for_language():
     assert got["language"] == "ruby"
 
 
+def test_parse_does_not_promote_a_caller_tag_to_language():
+    # compose_tags puts the language FIRST, so a leading "snippet" marker means
+    # no language was recorded — the tags after it are the caller's own and must
+    # not be mistaken for one (which would also corrupt the code fence on the
+    # next update).
+    tags = s.compose_tags("", ["auth"])
+    assert tags == ["snippet", "auth"]
+    got = s.parse_snippet_fields("n — u", s.compose_body(code="x = 1"), tags)
+    assert got["language"] == ""
+
+
+def test_caller_tag_survives_an_update_round_trip_without_a_language():
+    # Regression: the tag used to be read back as the language, then dropped
+    # from the extra-tag set on re-compose — so it silently disappeared.
+    tags = s.compose_tags("", ["auth"])
+    fields = s.parse_snippet_fields("n — u", s.compose_body(code="x = 1"), tags)
+    extra = [t for t in tags if t not in (s.SNIPPET_TAG, fields["language"])]
+    assert s.compose_tags(fields["language"], extra) == ["snippet", "auth"]
+
+
 def test_compose_body_multi_location_renders_bullet_list():
     body = s.compose_body(
         code="x = 1",