Memory Bank

Dev Memory Bank

The memory bank is a git-based shared memory system that enables both humans and AI agents to maintain context across sessions and tasks. It consists of:

project-level documentation files that capture essential knowledge, decisions, and current state
task-based documentation that should reflect the agent's short-term "working" memory.

Core Rules

CRITICAL: Agents MUST read ALL "Every Task" memory bank files at the start of EVERY task.
Agents should use a "Task" memory bank file for every task
Agents, in every mode, must try to keep the task file's TODO section synced with their own internal Todo List.
- Use of the "Todo List Updated" (update_todo_list) tool should always trigger a resync of the task's TODO section
All memory bank files should avoid repeating information, and should be continually checked for internal consistency

Memory Bank Structure

Project Memory Bank Files

"Every Task" Context Files

These files MUST be read at the start of every new task:

Project Brief - Foundation document explaining the memory bank approach and pointing to other files
Product Brief - Project vision, problems solved, components/applications, user experience goals
Status - Current project status, what's working, high-level summary
Memory Bank - This file; ground rules for the memory bank system

Frequently Referenced Memory Bank Files

These should be consulted as appropriate to the task:

Developer General Guidance - for any development-related tasks
Dependencies - for technical architecture questions or any development-related tasks
Ontologies - for any RDF-related tasks
Debugging - Debugging workflows and tips

Big Picture Memory Bank Files

Now - Current work focus (big-picture)
Todo - General task list; items not yet broken into formal tasks
Progress - Completed tasks with dated summaries
Decision Log - Important project-level decisions with dates

Task Memory Bank Files

For each task, use a task file in documentation/: tasks.YYYY-MM-DD-task-name.md

Required sections:

Prompt - Original task request
TODO - Agent's todo list (mirrored from Roo's internal list); must be updated after every update_todo_list tool invocation
- TODO items should have the "- [ ] " form, so we can x them off as we go.
Decisions - Task-specific decisions made during execution

Maintenance Guidelines

Keep it current - Update files as work progresses
Keep it concise - Less is more; avoid repetition
Use wikilinks - Link between documentation files using [[filename]] syntax
Date entries - Use ## YYYY-MM-DD format for dated logs
Ask questions - If documentation is confusing or outdated, ask for clarification

Agent Responsibilities

Read all "Every Task Context" files before starting work
Update the task file's TODO section to mirror your internal todo list
Document decisions in the task file's Decisions section
Suggest updates to project-level memory bank files when appropriate
Keep documentation pithy, consistent, and current

Backlinks