| name | atuin-memory |
| description | Check, store, and retrieve project memories from atuin kv. Use when starting work on a project, recalling previous context, storing plans or specs, or when the user mentions memory, atuin, or project context. |
| allowed-tools | ["Bash(atuin *)","Bash(git rev-parse *)","Bash(git branch *)","Bash(basename *)","Bash(pwd)","Bash(cat *)","Bash(echo *)","Bash(grep *)","Bash(head *)","Read"] |
Project Memory with Atuin
Store and retrieve project context using atuin kv to persist across sessions.
Project Detection
Reuse these variables in all commands:
PROJECT=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)" 2>/dev/null || basename "$PWD")
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null)
BRANCH=${BRANCH:-main}
Before Starting Work
echo "=== $PROJECT ($BRANCH) ==="
atuin kv list --namespace "project-metadata" | grep -F "$PROJECT-" || echo "(no memories found)"
Then retrieve relevant memories:
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan"
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-spec"
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-todo"
Acting on Retrieved Memories
- Check if stored plan/spec/todo still matches git state and current goals
- Briefly summarize what you found so user can correct misunderstandings
- Raise blockers, gaps, or open questions before proceeding—don't assume, ask
- Pick up from first incomplete todo item; if none exist, start fresh
- Update stored state after completing work so next session can resume cleanly
Storing Memories
For multi-line content, write to a temp file first to avoid shell escaping issues:
atuin kv set --namespace "project-metadata" --key "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan" "$(cat /tmp/plan.md)"
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan" | head -5
For short single-line values, store directly:
atuin kv set --namespace "project-metadata" --key "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-status" "in-progress"
Key Naming
| Key Pattern | Purpose |
|---|
{project}-{branch}-plan | Implementation plans |
{project}-{branch}-spec | Specifications/designs |
{project}-{branch}-todo | Task state |
{project}-{branch}-session-$(date +%Y-%m-%d) | Session summaries (use current date) |
Deleting Memories
atuin kv delete --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan"
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan"
Quick Reference
Argument syntax is inconsistent across subcommands — pay attention to positional vs flag arguments:
| Operation | Command | Notes |
|---|
| List all | atuin kv list --namespace "project-metadata" | |
| Get | atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "key" | KEY is positional |
| Set | atuin kv set --namespace "project-metadata" --key "key" "value" | KEY is --key flag, VALUE is positional |
| Delete | atuin kv delete --namespace "project-metadata" "key" | KEY is positional (not --key) |
- Store artifacts in atuin, not local markdown files
- Use /tmp for any temporary files needed during storage
- Never commit metadata files to git