Preprint: smaller models with evolved skills beat larger ones; WikiSkill keeps a persistent wiki
Crescitaly · reddit · 2026-08-30
A preprint introduces WikiSkill, which separates an agent's raw runs, accumulated knowledge, and executable skills, using a persistent wiki to guide later skill updates. The authors report that evolved skills transfer across model families, and in some tested settings smaller models with skills outperform substantially larger models without them.
The poster notes this is benchmark-bound, not production proof, but the interesting claim is that the durable asset may be structured, revisable experience rather than a pile of transcripts — one that can sometimes survive a model swap. Discussion question: in production agents, what should persist automatically — facts, procedures, failure patterns, eval results — versus requiring human-approved diffs?
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