Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/bracket-nonsense'

# Conflicts:
#	plugin/scripts/search-server.cjs

package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "claude-mem",
-  "version": "6.0.9",
+  "version": "6.3.6",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "claude-mem",
-      "version": "6.0.9",
+      "version": "6.3.6",
       "license": "AGPL-3.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk": "^0.1.27",

plugin/skills/mem-search/SKILL.md

@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ curl "http://localhost:37777/api/prompt/5421"
 **Filters (optional):**
 - `type` - Filter to "observations", "sessions", or "prompts"
 - `project` - Filter by project name
-- `dateRange[start]` - Start date (YYYY-MM-DD)
+- `dateStart` - Start date (YYYY-MM-DD or epoch timestamp)
-- `dateRange[end]` - End date (YYYY-MM-DD)
+- `dateEnd` - End date (YYYY-MM-DD or epoch timestamp)
-- `obs_type` - Filter observations by: bugfix, feature, decision, discovery, change
+- `obs_type` - Filter observations by type (comma-separated): bugfix, feature, decision, discovery, change
 
 ## Examples
 
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ curl "http://localhost:37777/api/search?query=bug&type=observations&obs_type=bug
 
 **Find what happened last week:**
 ```bash
-curl "http://localhost:37777/api/search?query=&type=observations&dateRange[start]=2025-11-11&format=index&limit=10"
+curl "http://localhost:37777/api/search?query=&type=observations&dateStart=2025-11-11&format=index&limit=10"
 ```
 
 **Search everything:**

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/by-concept.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/by-concept?concept=discovery&format=i
 - **format**: "index" (summary) or "full" (complete details). Default: "full"
 - **limit**: Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)
 - **project**: Filter by project name (optional)
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range (optional)
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range (optional)
 
 ## When to Use Each Format
 

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/by-file.md

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/by-file?filePath=src/services/worker-
 - **format**: "index" (summary) or "full" (complete details). Default: "full"
 - **limit**: Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)
 - **project**: Filter by project name (optional)
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range (optional)
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range (optional)
 
 ## When to Use Each Format
 
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ Response: "No observations found for 'nonexistent.ts'. Try a partial path or che
 1. Use format=index first to see overview of all changes
 2. Start with partial paths (e.g., filename only) for broader matches
 3. Use full paths when you need specific file matches
-4. Combine with dateRange to see recent changes: `?filePath=worker.ts&dateRange[start]=2024-11-01`
+4. Combine with dateStart to see recent changes: `?filePath=worker.ts&dateStart=2024-11-01`
 5. Use directory searches to see all work in a module
 
 **Token Efficiency:**

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/by-type.md

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/by-type?type=bugfix&format=index&limi
 - **format**: "index" (summary) or "full" (complete details). Default: "full"
 - **limit**: Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)
 - **project**: Filter by project name (optional)
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range (optional)
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range (optional)
 
 ## When to Use Each Format
 
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ Fix: Use one of the valid type values
 
 1. Use format=index first to see overview
 2. Start with limit=5-10 to avoid token overload
-3. Combine with dateRange for recent work: `?type=bugfix&dateRange[start]=2024-11-01`
+3. Combine with dateStart for recent work: `?type=bugfix&dateStart=2024-11-01`
 4. Use project filtering when working on one codebase
 
 **Token Efficiency:**

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/common-workflows.md

@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ Then choose anchor manually.
 
 1. **Combine filters** for precision:
 ```bash
-curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/observations?query=authentication&type=feature&dateRange[start]=2024-11-01&format=index&limit=10"
+curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/observations?query=authentication&type=feature&dateStart=2024-11-01&format=index&limit=10"
 ```
 
 2. **Review filtered results**
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ Found 10 authentication features added in November:
 
 **Why this workflow:**
 - Multiple filters narrow results before requesting full details
-- Type + query + dateRange = precise targeting
+- Type + query + dateStart/dateEnd = precise targeting
 - Progressive disclosure: index first, full details selectively
 
 ---
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ Found 10 authentication features added in November:
 1. **Start with index format** - Always use `format=index` first
 2. **Use specialized tools** - by-type, by-file, by-concept when applicable
 3. **Compose operations** - Combine search + timeline for investigations
-4. **Filter early** - Use type, dateRange, project to narrow before expanding
+4. **Filter early** - Use type, dateStart/dateEnd, project to narrow before expanding
 5. **Progressive disclosure** - Load full details only for relevant items
 
 ## Token Budget Awareness

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/help.md

@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ Many endpoints share these parameters:
 - **limit**: Number of results to return
 - **offset**: Number of results to skip (for pagination)
 - **project**: Filter by project name
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range
-  - `dateRange[start]`: Start date (ISO string or epoch)
+  - `dateStart`: Start date (YYYY-MM-DD or epoch timestamp)
-  - `dateRange[end]`: End date (ISO string or epoch)
+  - `dateEnd`: End date (YYYY-MM-DD or epoch timestamp)
 
 ## Error Handling
 

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/observations.md

@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/observations?query=authentication&for
 - **format**: "index" (summary) or "full" (complete details). Default: "full"
 - **limit**: Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)
 - **project**: Filter by project name (optional)
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range (optional) - `dateRange[start]` and/or `dateRange[end]`
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range (optional) - `dateStart` and/or `dateEnd` (YYYY-MM-DD format or epoch timestamp)
-- **obs_type**: Filter by observation type: bugfix, feature, refactor, decision, discovery, change (optional)
+- **obs_type**: Filter by observation type (comma-separated): bugfix, feature, refactor, decision, discovery, change (optional)
-- **concepts**: Filter by concept tags (optional)
+- **concepts**: Filter by concept tags (comma-separated, optional)
-- **files**: Filter by file paths (optional)
+- **files**: Filter by file paths (comma-separated, optional)
 
-**Important**: When omitting `query`, you MUST provide at least one filter (project, dateRange, obs_type, concepts, or files)
+**Important**: When omitting `query`, you MUST provide at least one filter (project, dateStart/dateEnd, obs_type, concepts, or files)
 
 ## When to Use Each Format
 
@@ -88,13 +88,13 @@ Search without query text (direct SQLite filtering):
 
 ```bash
 # Get all observations from November 2025
-curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search?type=observations&dateRange[start]=2025-11-01&format=index"
+curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search?type=observations&dateStart=2025-11-01&format=index"
 
 # Get all bug fixes from a specific project
 curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search?type=observations&obs_type=bugfix&project=api-server&format=index"
 
 # Get all observations from last 7 days
-curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search?type=observations&dateRange[start]=2025-11-11&format=index"
+curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search?type=observations&dateStart=2025-11-11&format=index"
 ```
 
 ## Error Handling
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search?type=observations&dateRange[start]=20
 ```json
 {"error": "Either query or filters required for search"}
 ```
-Fix: Provide either a query parameter OR at least one filter (project, dateRange, obs_type, concepts, files)
+Fix: Provide either a query parameter OR at least one filter (project, dateStart/dateEnd, obs_type, concepts, files)
 
 **No results found:**
 ```json

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/prompts.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/prompts?query=authentication&format=i
 - **format**: "index" (truncated prompts) or "full" (complete prompt text). Default: "full"
 - **limit**: Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)
 - **project**: Filter by project name (optional)
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range (optional)
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range (optional)
 
 ## When to Use Each Format
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ Response: "No user prompts found for 'foobar'. Try different search terms."
 
 1. Use exact phrases in quotes: `?query="how do I"` for precise matches
 2. Start with format=index to see preview, then get full text if needed
-3. Use dateRange to find recent questions: `?query=bug&dateRange[start]=2024-11-01`
+3. Use dateStart to find recent questions: `?query=bug&dateStart=2024-11-01`
 4. Prompts show what was asked, sessions/observations show what was done
 5. Combine with session search to see both question and answer
 

plugin/skills/mem-search/operations/sessions.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/sessions?query=authentication&format=
 - **format**: "index" (summary) or "full" (complete details). Default: "full"
 - **limit**: Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)
 - **project**: Filter by project name (optional)
-- **dateRange**: Filter by date range (optional)
+- **dateStart/dateEnd**: Filter by date range (optional)
 
 ## When to Use Each Format
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ Response: "No sessions found for 'foobar'. Try different search terms."
 
 1. Be specific: "JWT authentication implementation" > "auth"
 2. Start with format=index and limit=5-10
-3. Use dateRange for recent sessions: `?query=auth&dateRange[start]=2024-11-01`
+3. Use dateStart for recent sessions: `?query=auth&dateStart=2024-11-01`
 4. Sessions provide high-level overview, observations provide details
 5. Use project filtering when working on one codebase
 

plugin/skills/mem-search/principles/progressive-disclosure.md

@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ curl -s "http://localhost:37777/api/search/observations?query=authentication&for
 ### Step 4: Refine with Filters (If Needed)
 
 **Techniques:**
-- Use `type`, `dateRange`, `concepts`, `files` filters
+- Use `type`, `dateStart`/`dateEnd`, `concepts`, `files` filters
 - Narrow scope BEFORE requesting more results
 - Use `offset` for pagination instead of large limits
 

src/servers/search-server.ts

@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ Search workflow:
 1. Initial search: Use default (index) format to see titles, dates, and sources
 2. Review results: Identify which items are most relevant to your needs
 3. Deep dive: Only then use format: "full" on specific items of interest
-4. Narrow down: Use filters (type, dateRange, concepts, files) to refine results
+4. Narrow down: Use filters (type, dateStart/dateEnd, concepts, files) to refine results
 
 Other tips:
 • To search by concept: Use find_by_concept tool
@@ -378,20 +378,62 @@ function formatUserPromptResult(prompt: UserPromptSearchResult): string {
 }
 
 /**
- * Common filter schema
+ * Helper to normalize query parameters from URL-friendly format
+ * Converts comma-separated strings to arrays and flattens date params
+ */
+function normalizeParams(args: any): any {
+  const normalized: any = { ...args };
+
+  // Parse comma-separated concepts into array
+  if (normalized.concepts && typeof normalized.concepts === 'string') {
+    normalized.concepts = normalized.concepts.split(',').map((s: string) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+  }
+
+  // Parse comma-separated files into array
+  if (normalized.files && typeof normalized.files === 'string') {
+    normalized.files = normalized.files.split(',').map((s: string) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+  }
+
+  // Parse comma-separated obs_type into array
+  if (normalized.obs_type && typeof normalized.obs_type === 'string') {
+    normalized.obs_type = normalized.obs_type.split(',').map((s: string) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+  }
+
+  // Parse comma-separated type (for filterSchema) into array
+  if (normalized.type && typeof normalized.type === 'string' && normalized.type.includes(',')) {
+    normalized.type = normalized.type.split(',').map((s: string) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean);
+  }
+
+  // Flatten dateStart/dateEnd into dateRange object
+  if (normalized.dateStart || normalized.dateEnd) {
+    normalized.dateRange = {
+      start: normalized.dateStart,
+      end: normalized.dateEnd
+    };
+    delete normalized.dateStart;
+    delete normalized.dateEnd;
+  }
+
+  return normalized;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Common filter schema (accepts simple strings that get normalized to arrays)
  */
 const filterSchema = z.object({
   project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
   type: z.union([
     z.enum(['decision', 'bugfix', 'feature', 'refactor', 'discovery', 'change']),
     z.array(z.enum(['decision', 'bugfix', 'feature', 'refactor', 'discovery', 'change']))
-  ]).optional().describe('Filter by observation type'),
+  ]).optional().describe('Filter by observation type (single value or comma-separated list)'),
-  concepts: z.union([z.string(), z.array(z.string())]).optional().describe('Filter by concept tags'),
+  concepts: z.union([z.string(), z.array(z.string())]).optional().describe('Filter by concept tags (single value or comma-separated list)'),
-  files: z.union([z.string(), z.array(z.string())]).optional().describe('Filter by file paths (partial match)'),
+  files: z.union([z.string(), z.array(z.string())]).optional().describe('Filter by file paths (single value or comma-separated list for partial match)'),
+  dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date (ISO string or epoch)'),
+  dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date (ISO string or epoch)'),
   dateRange: z.object({
     start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date (ISO string or epoch)'),
     end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date (ISO string or epoch)')
-  }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
+  }).optional().describe('Filter by date range (use dateStart/dateEnd instead for simpler URLs)'),
   limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
   offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
   orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
@@ -406,30 +448,21 @@ const tools = [
       query: z.string().optional().describe('Natural language search query for semantic ranking via ChromaDB vector search. Optional - omit for date-filtered queries only (Chroma cannot filter by date, requires direct SQLite).'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default, RECOMMENDED for initial search), "full" for complete details (use only after reviewing index results)'),
       type: z.enum(['observations', 'sessions', 'prompts']).optional().describe('Filter by document type (observations, sessions, or prompts). Omit to search all types.'),
-      obs_type: z.union([
+      obs_type: z.string().optional().describe('Filter observations by type (single value or comma-separated list: decision,bugfix,feature,refactor,discovery,change). Only applies when type="observations"'),
-        z.enum(['decision', 'bugfix', 'feature', 'refactor', 'discovery', 'change']),
+      concepts: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by concept tags (single value or comma-separated list). Only applies when type="observations"'),
-        z.array(z.enum(['decision', 'bugfix', 'feature', 'refactor', 'discovery', 'change']))
+      files: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by file paths (single value or comma-separated list for partial match). Only applies when type="observations"'),
-      ]).optional().describe('Filter observations by type. Only applies when type="observations"'),
-      concepts: z.union([
-        z.string(),
-        z.array(z.string())
-      ]).optional().describe('Filter by concept tags. Only applies when type="observations"'),
-      files: z.union([
-        z.string(),
-        z.array(z.string())
-      ]).optional().describe('Filter by file paths (partial match). Only applies when type="observations"'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date (ISO string or epoch)'),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date (ISO string or epoch)')
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { query, format = 'index', type, obs_type, concepts, files, ...options } = args;
+        // Normalize URL-friendly params to internal format
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { query, format = 'index', type, obs_type, concepts, files, ...options } = normalized;
         let observations: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
         let sessions: SessionSummarySearchResult[] = [];
         let prompts: UserPromptSearchResult[] = [];
@@ -969,17 +1002,16 @@ const tools = [
       query: z.string().optional().describe('Search query to filter decisions semantically'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default), "full" for complete details'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { query, format = 'index', ...filters } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { query, format = 'index', ...filters } = normalized;
         let results: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Search for decision-type observations
@@ -1069,17 +1101,16 @@ const tools = [
     inputSchema: z.object({
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default), "full" for complete details'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { format = 'index', ...filters } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { format = 'index', ...filters } = normalized;
         let results: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Search for change-type observations and change-related concepts
@@ -1177,17 +1208,16 @@ const tools = [
     inputSchema: z.object({
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default), "full" for complete details'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { format = 'index', ...filters } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { format = 'index', ...filters } = normalized;
         let results: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Search for how-it-works concept observations
@@ -1267,7 +1297,8 @@ const tools = [
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { query, format = 'index', ...options } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { query, format = 'index', ...options } = normalized;
         let results: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Vector-first search via ChromaDB
@@ -1345,17 +1376,16 @@ const tools = [
       query: z.string().describe('Natural language search query for semantic ranking via ChromaDB vector search'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default, RECOMMENDED for initial search), "full" for complete details (use only after reviewing index results)'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { query, format = 'index', ...options } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { query, format = 'index', ...options } = normalized;
         let results: SessionSummarySearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Vector-first search via ChromaDB
@@ -1433,17 +1463,16 @@ const tools = [
       concept: z.string().describe('Concept tag to search for. Available: discovery, problem-solution, what-changed, how-it-works, pattern, gotcha, change'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default, RECOMMENDED for initial search), "full" for complete details (use only after reviewing index results)'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum results. IMPORTANT: Start with 3-5 to avoid exceeding MCP token limits, even in index mode.'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { concept, format = 'index', ...filters } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { concept, format = 'index', ...filters } = normalized;
         let results: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Metadata-first, semantic-enhanced search
@@ -1533,17 +1562,16 @@ const tools = [
       filePath: z.string().describe('File path to search for (supports partial matching)'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default, RECOMMENDED for initial search), "full" for complete details (use only after reviewing index results)'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum results. IMPORTANT: Start with 3-5 to avoid exceeding MCP token limits, even in index mode.'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { filePath, format = 'index', ...filters } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { filePath, format = 'index', ...filters } = normalized;
         let observations: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
         let sessions: SessionSummarySearchResult[] = [];
 
@@ -1660,23 +1688,19 @@ const tools = [
     name: 'find_by_type',
     description: 'Find observations of a specific type (decision, bugfix, feature, refactor, discovery, change). IMPORTANT: Always use index format first (default) to get an overview with minimal token usage, then use format: "full" only for specific items of interest.',
     inputSchema: z.object({
-      type: z.union([
+      type: z.string().describe('Observation type(s) to filter by (single value or comma-separated list: decision,bugfix,feature,refactor,discovery,change)'),
-        z.enum(['decision', 'bugfix', 'feature', 'refactor', 'discovery', 'change']),
-        z.array(z.enum(['decision', 'bugfix', 'feature', 'refactor', 'discovery', 'change']))
-      ]).describe('Observation type(s) to filter by'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for titles/dates only (default, RECOMMENDED for initial search), "full" for complete details (use only after reviewing index results)'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum results. IMPORTANT: Start with 3-5 to avoid exceeding MCP token limits, even in index mode.'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { type, format = 'index', ...filters } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { type, format = 'index', ...filters } = normalized;
         const typeStr = Array.isArray(type) ? type.join(', ') : type;
         let results: ObservationSearchResult[] = [];
 
@@ -1905,17 +1929,16 @@ const tools = [
       query: z.string().describe('Natural language search query for semantic ranking via ChromaDB vector search'),
       format: z.enum(['index', 'full']).default('index').describe('Output format: "index" for truncated prompts/dates (default, RECOMMENDED for initial search), "full" for complete prompt text (use only after reviewing index results)'),
       project: z.string().optional().describe('Filter by project name'),
-      dateRange: z.object({
+      dateStart: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('Start date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        start: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional(),
+      dateEnd: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional().describe('End date for filtering (ISO string or epoch timestamp)'),
-        end: z.union([z.string(), z.number()]).optional()
-      }).optional().describe('Filter by date range'),
       limit: z.number().min(1).max(100).default(20).describe('Maximum number of results'),
       offset: z.number().min(0).default(0).describe('Number of results to skip'),
       orderBy: z.enum(['relevance', 'date_desc', 'date_asc']).default('date_desc').describe('Sort order')
     }),
     handler: async (args: any) => {
       try {
-        const { query, format = 'index', ...options } = args;
+        const normalized = normalizeParams(args);
+        const { query, format = 'index', ...options } = normalized;
         let results: UserPromptSearchResult[] = [];
 
         // Vector-first search via ChromaDB