memory-best-practices

# Memory Best Practices A quality standard for writing high-quality memories that compound in value. ## The `[Nx]` Priority System ``` [0x] New → unverified, just added [1-2x] Normal → confirmed 1-2 times [3x]+ High Priority → battle-tested, frequently used ``` **`[Nx]` = usage count.** The best quality signal. `[6x]` survived 6 sessions — probably right. `[0x]` might be noise. ## How `[Nx]` Increments | Trigger | Effect | |---------|--------| | `memory({ action: "reinforce", content: "..." })` | Manual +1 | | `memory({ action: "search", query: "..." })` score ≥0.5 | Auto-reinforce +1 | | Pending auto-promote (search ≥0.5) | Moves to consolidated at [0x] | **Reinforce ≠ Promote:** - **Reinforce** = increment `[Nx]` within consolidated (used+1) - **Promote** = move entry from pending.md → consolidated.md (at [0x]) ## Learning Quality Checklist Before saving: - [ ] **Durable** — true next month? - [ ] **Non-obvious** — changes approach next time? - [ ] **Actionable** — what to do differently? - [ ] **Concise** — under 120 chars? - [ ] **Not redundant** — search first, reinforce if similar ## Good vs Bad ``` ✅ "MyBatis-Plus getOne needs .last('LIMIT 1') to avoid TooManyResultsException" ✅ "禁止 rm，优先 trash" ✅ "ACP: Agent 无状态，Client 持状态" ❌ "用户让我修了一个 bug" ← too generic ❌ "Error at /src/index.ts:42" ← copy-paste, no insight ❌ "服务器现在在 3000 端口" ← temporary state ``` ## Preference Categories | Category | When | |----------|------| | `Communication` | Language, style, tone | | `Code` | Style, conventions, abstraction | | `Tools` | CLI, editors, workflows | | `Workflow` | Process, review, deployment | | `General` | Everything else | **Rules:** one per line, be specific, correct category. ## Tags Each learning has **LLM-auto-extracted tags**. You don't tag manually. Tags are used in search: - **Exact tag match** → +0.3 score - **Related tag** (association graph) → +0.15 score - Conceptually related entries surface even with different wording Example: searching "安全删除" finds entries tagged `filesystem`, `safety`, `delete` even if they don't contain those words. ## Two Paths to Memory ``` Path 1: Auto-extract (agent_end / compaction) → pending.md [○] → search ≥0.5 → promote → consolidated [0x] → reinforce over time → [3x]+ High Priority Path 2: Manual (memory tool) → consolidated [0x] directly (you verified it's worth keeping) → reinforce over time → same priority ladder ``` **Why pending?** Auto-extracted memories are noisy. Pending layer filters by actual usage. ## Consolidate vs LLM Tidy | Operation | Method | What it does | |-----------|--------|-------------| | `consolidate` | Rule-based | Exact + Jaccard dedup. Safe, never deletes unique entries. | | `llm_tidy` | LLM-guided | Rewrites verbose, detects contradictions, suggests deletions. | Use `consolidate` for routine maintenance. Use `llm_tidy` for deep cleanup. ## Knowledge vs Memory | Dimension | Memory (consolidated.md) | Knowledge (knowledge/) | |-----------|-------------------------|----------------------| | Scope | Cross-session insights | Reusable patterns, decisions | | Format | One-line entries | Full markdown files | | Example | "禁止 rm，优先 trash" | Full design pattern with code | | Tool | `memory` | `knowledge` | | Share | Per-role | Role / global / project | **Write knowledge when:** full pattern with code examples, or share across roles. ## Signs of Healthy Memory - High ratio of `[3x]+` entries - Low `[0x]` count (low noise) - Entries under 120 chars - Well-categorized preferences - No duplicates or contradictions ## Signs of Unhealthy Memory - Many `[0x]` never reinforced (noise) - Very long entries - Duplicates saying same thing differently - Contradictory preferences - Outdated information ## Quick Reference ``` Add learning: memory({ action: "add_learning", content: "..." }) Add preference: memory({ action: "add_preference", content: "...", category: "..." }) Reinforce: memory({ action: "reinforce", content: "..." }) Search: memory({ action: "search", query: "..." }) List: memory({ action: "list" }) Consolidate: memory({ action: "consolidate" }) LLM tidy: memory({ action: "llm_tidy" }) ```