memory
Persistent knowledge storage using basic-memory CLI. Use to save notes, search memories semantically, and build context for topics across sessions.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill memory- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads memory automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Memory - Persistent Knowledge Storage
Store and retrieve knowledge across sessions using semantic search.
Prerequisites
Install basic-memory:
pip install basic-memory
CLI Reference
Write a Note
# Basic note
basic-memory tool write-note --title "Note Title" --content "Note content in markdown"
# With tags
basic-memory tool write-note --title "React Patterns" --content "# Content here" --tags "react,patterns,frontend"
# To specific folder
basic-memory tool write-note --title "Meeting Notes" --content "# Notes" --folder "meetings"
# With specific project
basic-memory tool write-note --title "Project Notes" --content "# Notes" --project myproject
Read a Note
# By identifier/permalink
basic-memory tool read-note "note-title"
# From specific project
basic-memory tool read-note "note-title" --project myproject
Search Memories
# Semantic search (query is positional)
basic-memory tool search-notes "your search query"
# Limit results
basic-memory tool search-notes "react hooks" --page-size 10
# Search by permalink
basic-memory tool search-notes "pattern" --permalink
# Search by title
basic-memory tool search-notes "meeting" --title
# Filter by date
basic-memory tool search-notes "feature" --after_date "7d"
# With specific project
basic-memory tool search-notes "authentication" --project myproject
Build Context for a Topic
# Get related notes for a URL/topic (URL is positional)
basic-memory tool build-context "memory://topic/authentication"
# With depth and timeframe
basic-memory tool build-context "memory://note/my-note" --depth 2 --timeframe 30d
# With specific project
basic-memory tool build-context "memory://topic/api" --project myproject
List Recent Activity
# Default (depth 1, 7 days)
basic-memory tool recent-activity
# With depth
basic-memory tool recent-activity --depth 3
# With timeframe
basic-memory tool recent-activity --timeframe 30d
# Combined
basic-memory tool recent-activity --depth 3 --timeframe 14d
Continue Conversation
# Get prompt to continue previous work
basic-memory tool continue-conversation "previous topic or context"
Sync Database
basic-memory sync
Check Status
basic-memory status
Note Format
Notes are stored as markdown with YAML frontmatter:
---
title: My Note
tags: [tag1, tag2]
created: 2024-01-15
---
# My Note
Content here in markdown format.
## Sections
More content...
Workflow Patterns
Save Learning
When you discover something useful:
basic-memory tool write-note \
--title "TypeScript Utility Types" \
--content "# Utility Types\n\n- Partial<T> - Makes all properties optional\n- Required<T> - Makes all properties required\n- Pick<T, K> - Picks specific properties" \
--tags "typescript,types,reference"
Save Decision
When making an architectural decision:
basic-memory tool write-note \
--title "Auth Strategy Decision" \
--content "# Decision: Use JWT for API auth\n\n## Context\n...\n\n## Decision\n...\n\n## Consequences\n..." \
--tags "architecture,auth,decision" \
--folder "decisions"
Retrieve Context
Before starting related work:
# Search for relevant notes
basic-memory tool search-notes "authentication jwt tokens"
# Or build comprehensive context
basic-memory tool build-context "memory://topic/api-authentication"
Review Recent Work
basic-memory tool recent-activity --depth 5 --timeframe 7d
Use Cases
Personal Wiki
- Store code snippets and patterns
- Document project decisions
- Keep reference material
Learning Log
- Record things you learn
- Tag by topic for later retrieval
- Build knowledge over time
Project Context
- Save project-specific knowledge
- Retrieve relevant context at session start
- Share knowledge across sessions
Best Practices
- Use meaningful titles - They become permalinks
- Add tags - Improves search and organization
- Use markdown - Full markdown support in content
- Organize with folders - Group related notes
- Search before writing - Check if knowledge already exists
- Keep notes focused - One topic per note
- Update, don't duplicate - Revise existing notes
Integration Pattern
Session Start
# Get context for today's work
basic-memory tool build-context "memory://topic/feature-youre-building"
During Work
# Save discoveries
basic-memory tool write-note --title "Discovery Title" --content "What I learned"
Session End
# Sync to ensure persistence
basic-memory sync
FAQ
What does the memory skill do?
Persistent knowledge storage using basic-memory CLI. Use to save notes, search memories semantically, and build context for topics across sessions.
How do I install memory?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill memory in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/memory/ (personal) or .claude/skills/memory/ (project).
Which AI agents can use memory?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is memory safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains memory?
It is published by johnlindquist in johnlindquist/claude. It has 362 recorded installs.
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