memory-directory-exists-guidance

name	memory-directory-exists-guidance
description	Ensure memory directories exist once and surface consistent guidance so agents skip redundant mkdir calls.
metadata	{"author":"ychampion"}

SKILL: Memory Directory Exists Guidance

Domain: context-management
Trigger: Use whenever you plan to write memory files so the agent can assume the directory exists instead of repeatedly running mkdir -p. Source Pattern: Distilled from reviewed context, compaction, and memory-governance patterns.

Core Method

Guarantee the auto-memory directory exists with a single idempotent mkdir (handled once per session) and prepend every guidance response with the standard instructions (DIR_EXISTS_GUIDANCE and DIRS_EXIST_GUIDANCE) so Claude knows not to rerun filesystem commands that are already satisfied. Log any mkdir failure asynchronously for telemetry but let the tool write operation report the real error to keep the workflow moving.

Key Rules

• Call ensureMemoryDirExists before prompting the agent to write memory files so the path is settled; the helper already swallows EEXIST and warns only on genuine failures.
• Always echo either DIR_EXISTS_GUIDANCE or DIRS_EXIST_GUIDANCE when summarizing the directory state to the assistant so it stops issuing mkdir commands.
• Keep the mkdir call outside the main agent loop (e.g., in init or once-per-session code) so repeated turns do not spawn redundant filesystem operations.

Example Application

When saving a new memory from within the CLI, run ensureMemoryDirExists(memoryDir) at session start, mention DIR_EXISTS_GUIDANCE, and proceed to open the target file without extra mkdirs; this keeps the assistant focused on writing content instead of housekeeping.

Anti-Patterns (What NOT to do)

• Don’t rerun mkdir -p right before every write; the persistent guidance plus singleton helper avoids redundant logs and permission stumbling blocks.
• Don’t treat the guidance text as optional; skipping it results in the CLI repeatedly prompting for directory creation even though the path already exists.