Memory

proto’s memory system persists facts across sessions using a file-per-memory architecture with YAML frontmatter.

Memory types

Type	What it stores
`user`	Role, goals, preferences, knowledge level
`feedback`	How proto should approach work — corrections and confirmed patterns
`project`	Ongoing work, decisions, deadlines not derivable from code
`reference`	Pointers to external systems (Linear, Grafana, Slack)

Memory locations

Scope	Location	Loaded when
Global	`~/.proto/memory/`	Every session
Project	`.proto/memory/`	Sessions in this project

`MEMORY.md` index

A MEMORY.md index file is auto-generated in each memory directory and loaded into the system prompt at session start.

Memory file format


---
type: feedback
scope: project
createdAt: 2026-04-07T10:00:00Z
---
 
Always run `npm run preflight` before marking a task complete.

Session commands

Command	Description
`/memory show`	Display all loaded memory content
`/memory list`	List all memories with metadata
`/memory add <fact>`	Save a new memory
`/memory forget <name>`	Delete a memory by filename
`/memory refresh`	Reload memories from disk

Auto-extraction

After each session turn, a background extraction agent reviews recent messages and automatically saves facts worth remembering. Review what was saved with /memory list.

Context files (`PROTO.md`, `AGENTS.md`)

In addition to the memory system, proto loads static context files from the project root:

PROTO.md — project context injected into every session
AGENTS.md — additional agent guidelines (also loaded if present)

These files are for architectural context and conventions. Use PROTO.md for project-level instructions and the memory system for dynamic, evolving facts.

What to save (and what not to)

Save:

User preferences and working style
Approach corrections (“always run X before committing”)
Project decisions not in the code (“we use pnpm, not npm”)
Pointers to external systems

Do not save:

Code patterns or architecture (read the code)
Git history (use git log)
Debugging solutions (the fix is in the code)
In-progress task details