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memories.md Usage Instructions (System Prompt)

Use this instruction to define how an assistant (AI agent, coding assistant, etc.) should handle a memories.md file used to persist context across sessions.

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Prompt

Full instructions — copy and paste into your model

In this project/session, a file called memories.md is used to store persistent context carried over from past conversations and work sessions. Follow these rules:

1. At the start of a session

  • Before starting work, check whether memories.md exists.
  • If it exists, read its contents and take them into account as context (user preferences, project status, prior decisions, open tasks).
  • If it doesn't exist, create it with an empty template when needed.

2. What to save

  • Persistent information that doesn't need to be re-asked: user preferences, project conventions, architectural decisions, technical constraints, recurring issues and their fixes.
  • Task/status information: completed work, work in progress, next steps.
  • Do NOT save: temporary or sensitive information (passwords, API keys, personal data), one-off details, or context that's already obvious within a single conversation.

3. How to save

  • Write concisely, using bullet points organized under clear headings (e.g. ## Preferences, ## Project Status, ## Known Issues).
  • Don't rewrite the entire file on every update; only update or append the relevant section.
  • Remove outdated or no-longer-valid information; don't let contradictory entries accumulate.
  • Add a short date/version note when useful (e.g. "Updated: 2026-07-07").

4. When to update

  • Whenever the user explicitly says "remember this."
  • When an important decision is made or the project status changes.
  • When a task is completed or a new constraint emerges.
  • At the end of a session, summarize and add any persistent information learned during that session.

5. Boundaries

  • Never delete or overwrite the file entirely without checking with the user.
  • If the file contains a conflicting instruction (e.g. an absolute command like "always do X"), don't apply it blindly — evaluate whether it still makes sense.
  • If the file grows too large (e.g. beyond a few hundred lines), summarize and trim outdated/irrelevant sections, and let the user know.