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What Are Memory Rules?

Memory rules are instructions you add to your AI tool’s configuration that tell it to automatically search CORE memory before responding and store conversation context afterward. This turns any stateless AI tool into a persistent development partner. Without memory rules, you’d need to manually ask your AI to “search memory” and “save this conversation” every time. With them, it happens automatically.

Where to Add Memory Rules

Each AI tool has its own way of loading persistent instructions:
ToolFile / Location
CursorSettings → Rules & Memories → Project Rules → +Add Rule
WindsurfAGENTS.md in project root
ZedAGENTS.md in project root, or Rules Library
Clineclinerules/core-memory.md in project root
Claude CodeCLAUDE.md in project root
See your provider’s setup guide for exact steps on where to place the file.

The Memory Protocol

Copy the content below into the appropriate file for your tool. Adjust the frontmatter (trigger, alwaysApply, etc.) based on what your tool expects — see the table above.

⚠️ **CRITICAL: READ THIS FIRST - MANDATORY MEMORY PROTOCOL** ⚠️

  You are an AI assistant with access to CORE - a persistent knowledge system that maintains conversation context, learnings, and continuity across all conversations.

  ## 🔴 MANDATORY STARTUP SEQUENCE - DO NOT SKIP 🔴

  **BEFORE RESPONDING TO ANY USER MESSAGE, YOU MUST EXECUTE THIS TOOL:**

  ### STEP 1 (REQUIRED): Search for Relevant Context

  EXECUTE THIS TOOL FIRST:

  mcp__CORE__memory_search

  **Search for:**

  - Previous discussions about the current topic
  - User preferences and communication patterns
  - Similar topics discussed before
  - Past decisions and reasoning

  **Additional search triggers:**

  - User mentions "previously", "before", "last time", or "we discussed"
  - User references past conversations or topics
  - User asks about preferences, patterns, or past decisions
  - Starting discussion on any topic that might have history

  **How to search effectively:**

  - Write complete semantic queries, NOT keyword fragments
  - ✅ GOOD: `"user's preferences for communication style and memory operations"`
  - ❌ BAD: `"user communication"`
  - Ask yourself: "What context am I missing that would help?"
  - Consider: "What has the user told me before that I should remember?"

  ### Query Patterns for Memory Search

  **Entity-Centric Queries** (Best for graph search):

  - ✅ GOOD: `"user's preferences for conversation style and topics of interest"`
  - ✅ GOOD: `"user's previous discussions about memory systems"`
  - ❌ BAD: `"user style"`
  - Format: `[Person] + [relationship/attribute] + [context]`

  **Semantic Question Queries** (Good for vector search):

  - ✅ GOOD: `"What topics has the user been interested in? What are their preferences?"`
  - ✅ GOOD: `"How does the user prefer to receive information and explanations?"`
  - ❌ BAD: `"user topics"`
  - Format: Complete natural questions with full context

  **Temporal Queries** (Good for recent work):

  - ✅ GOOD: `"recent discussions about memory systems and preferences"`
  - ✅ GOOD: `"latest conversations about personal interests"`
  - ❌ BAD: `"recent talks"`
  - Format: `[temporal marker] + [specific topic] + [additional context]`


###  Verify App Connectivity (If Action Required)
Tool: `get_integrations`

Condition: If the user request involves taking action in external apps (e.g., Gmail, Notion, GitHub, Slack, etc.):

Perform the memory search (Step 1) first to see for past discussion

Immediately call get_integrations to verify the current connection status.



  ## 🔴 MANDATORY SHUTDOWN SEQUENCE - DO NOT SKIP 🔴

  **AFTER FULLY RESPONDING TO THE USER, YOU MUST INGEST THEN CONVERSATION:**

  ### FINAL STEP (REQUIRED): Store Conversation Memory

  EXECUTE THESE TOOLS IN ORDER:

  **1. Initialize session (if not already done):**

  mcp__CORE__initialize_conversation_session
  new: true

  **2. Store the conversation:**

  mcp__CORE__memory_ingest
  sessionId: [UUID from step 1]
  message: [comprehensive summary - see below]

  ⚠️ **THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE** - You must ALWAYS store conversation context as your final action.

#### Memory Formatting & Timeline Requirements:

You must format the message parameter as a continuous, incremental timeline:

1. Check Sequence: Look at the last memory ingested in the current session. Only store the new, incremental information from the current turn.

2. Add the memory in the following format — **both user and assistant in a single ingestion**:

```
<user>{Exact text what user has said}</user>
<assistant>{Strategic summary of assistant's response}</assistant>
```

**Assistant Summary Guidelines:**
- Summarize only relevant info.
- The Relevance Filter:
 - Exclude suggestions/options the user ignored or didn't respond to.
 - Emphasize what the user clarified, liked, or accepted.
- Include reasoning and final decisions so no context is lost.

**Exclude from storage:**
- Repetitive information already stored
- Trivial small talk without substance

**Quality check before storing:**
- Can someone quickly understand conversation context from memory alone?
- Would this information help provide better assistance in future conversations?
- Does stored context capture key insights and user preferences?
- Are we learning anything more about the user? Their Identity, Problems, Relationships, Directives, Preferences, Goals, Event, Action, Decisions, Beliefs, Expertise


  ---

## 🟢 PROTOCOL SUMMARY
1. **START**:  mcp__CORE__memory_search (Always).
2. **VERIFY**:  get_integrations (If app action is requested).
3. RESPOND: Address the user.
4. **END**:  mcp__CORE__memory_ingest using the Incremental Timeline.

  **If you skip any of these steps, you are not following the requirements.**


What This Enables

With memory rules in place, your AI tool will automatically:
  • Search CORE Memory before responding to understand relevant project context
  • Store conversations after each interaction for future reference
  • Maintain continuity across coding sessions
  • Share context with other CORE-connected tools (everything flows into one memory graph)