Working Memory — Development skill for Claude Code

Initialize the Total Recall memory system in this project.

What To Do

Create the following directory structure and files. If any already exist, skip them (do not overwrite).

Directory Structure

memory/
├── SCHEMA.md
├── daily/
├── registers/
│   ├── _index.md
│   ├── people.md
│   ├── projects.md
│   ├── decisions.md
│   ├── preferences.md
│   ├── tech-stack.md
│   └── open-loops.md
└── archive/
    ├── projects/
    └── daily/

Plus at the project root:

• CLAUDE.local.md — working memory (auto-loaded, gitignored)

CLAUDE.local.md (Working Memory)

If CLAUDE.local.md does not exist, create it:

# Working Memory

> This is your working memory. Auto-loaded every session via CLAUDE.local.md.
> ~1500 word limit. Only behavior-changing facts earn a place here.
> Last updated: [today's date]

## Active Context

**Current Focus**: [not yet set]
**Key Deadline**: [none]
**Blockers**: [none]

## Project State

[No projects tracked yet. Use /recall-write to start capturing.]

## Critical Preferences

- [None captured yet]

## Key Decisions in Effect

- [None captured yet]

## People Context

- [None captured yet]

## Open Loops

- [None yet]

## Session Continuity

[Fresh install — no prior sessions.]

---
*For detailed history, see memory/registers/*
*For daily logs, see memory/daily/*

Also add `CLAUDE.local.md` to `.gitignore` if not already there (it contains personal memory).

memory/SCHEMA.md

Create the full schema documentation that teaches Claude how the memory system works. Include:

1. The four-tier architecture (daily logs → registers → working memory → archive)
2. Write gate rules ("Does this change future behavior?")
3. Read rules (what's auto-loaded vs on-demand)
4. Routing table (triggers and destinations)
5. Contradiction protocol (never silently overwrite, mark superseded)
6. Correction handling (highest priority writes, propagate to all tiers)
7. Maintenance cadences (immediate, end-of-session, periodic, quarterly)
8. Note that working memory is in CLAUDE.local.md (auto-loaded) and protocol is in .claude/rules/total-recall.md (auto-loaded)

Register Templates

Create each register file with its header and empty structure. Each should have a descriptive comment explaining when it gets loaded and what belongs in it.

memory/registers/_index.md

# Register Index

> Lists all registers and when to load them. Read on session start.

| Register | Load When | Contains |
|----------|-----------|----------|
| people.md | A person is mentioned | Roles, preferences, contact context |
| projects.md | A project is discussed | State, goals, decisions, blockers |
| decisions.md | Past choices are questioned | Decisions with rationale and outcomes |
| preferences.md | Task involves user style | Code style, communication, workflow prefs |
| tech-stack.md | Technical choices come up | Languages, frameworks, tools, constraints |
| open-loops.md | Every session (auto) | Active follow-ups, dead