---
name: memories-cli
description: "CLI reference and workflows for memories.sh — the persistent memory layer for AI agents. Use when: (1) Running memories CLI commands to add, search, edit, or manage memories, (2) Setting up memories.sh in a new project (memories init), (3) Generating AI tool config files (CLAUDE.md, .cursor/rules, etc.), (4) Importing existing rules from AI tools (memories ingest), (5) Managing cloud sync, embeddings, or git hooks, (6) Troubleshooting with memories doctor, (7) Working with memory templates, links, history, or tags."
---

# memories-cli

CLI reference for `@memories.sh/cli` — manage memories, generate configs, and sync across tools.

> **The CLI is the primary way to interact with memories.sh.** Use it to store memories, generate native config files, and manage your memory store. For environments where the CLI isn't available (v0, bolt.new, Lovable, or other browser-based agents), use the [MCP server](../memories-mcp/SKILL.md) as a fallback.

## Install & Init

```bash
npm install -g @memories.sh/cli   # or: npx @memories.sh/cli
memories init                      # Initialize in current project
```

`memories init` auto-detects AI tools (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code) and configures MCP + generates instruction files.

## Command Quick Reference

| Command | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| `memories add <content>` | Store a memory |
| `memories recall` | Context-aware memories for current project |
| `memories search <query>` | Full-text search |
| `memories list` | List memories with filters |
| `memories edit <id>` | Edit content, type, or tags |
| `memories forget <id>` | Soft-delete a memory |
| `memories generate` | Generate AI tool config files |
| `memories prompt` | Generate a system prompt |
| `memories serve` | Start MCP server |

## Core Workflows

### 1. New Project Setup

```bash
cd my-project
memories init              # Detect tools, configure MCP, generate files
memories add "Use pnpm" --type rule
memories add "Chose Supabase for auth" --type decision
memories generate          # Update all AI tool configs
```

### 2. Ingest Existing Rules

```bash
memories ingest claude     # Import from CLAUDE.md
memories ingest cursor     # Import from .cursorrules / .cursor/rules/
memories ingest copilot    # Import from copilot-instructions.md
```

### 3. Search & Recall

```bash
memories search "auth"                    # Full-text search
memories search "auth" --semantic         # Vector similarity (requires embeddings)
memories recall                           # Context for current project
memories list --type rule                 # Filter by type
memories list --tags api,auth             # Filter by tags
```

### 4. Generate Configs

```bash
memories generate                         # All detected tools
memories generate claude                  # Only CLAUDE.md
memories generate cursor                  # Only .cursor/rules/memories.mdc
memories diff                             # Preview changes before generating
```

Supported targets: `claude`, `cursor`, `copilot`, `windsurf`, `cline`, `roo`, `gemini`

### 5. Cloud Sync

```bash
memories login                            # Device code auth flow
memories sync                             # Sync local DB to cloud
memories files ingest                     # Upload config files
memories files apply --global --force     # Restore configs on new machine
```

### 6. Embeddings

```bash
memories embed                            # Generate embeddings for all memories
memories embed --dry-run                  # Preview what would be embedded
memories config model <model-name>        # Change embedding model
```

### 7. Maintenance

```bash
memories doctor                           # Diagnose issues
memories stats                            # Memory statistics
memories stale --days 90                  # Find stale memories
memories review                           # Interactive cleanup
memories validate                         # Check memory integrity
```

## Memory Types

Use `--type` flag with `add`:
- **rule** — `memories add "Always use strict mode" --type rule`
- **decision** — `memories add "Chose JWT for auth" --type decision`
- **fact** — `memories add "Rate limit: 100/min" --type fact`
- **note** — (default) `memories add "Refactor auth module"`

## Scopes

- **project** (default) — Scoped to current git repo
- **global** — `memories add "Use TypeScript" --type rule --global`

When using MCP instead of CLI commands (for example from browser tools or agents running outside the repo), use `add_memory` with `project_id` to force project scope.

## Advanced Features

- **Templates**: `memories add --template decision` — structured prompts for common patterns
- **Links**: `memories link <id1> <id2> --type supports` — relate memories
- **History**: `memories history <id>` / `memories revert <id> --to <version>`
- **Tags**: `memories tag <id> add api,auth`
- **Export/Import**: `memories export > backup.yaml` / `memories import backup.yaml`
- **Git Hooks**: `memories hook install` — auto-generate on commit

## Reference Files

- **Full command reference**: See [references/commands.md](references/commands.md) for all commands with complete options and flags
- **Workflow recipes**: See [references/workflows.md](references/workflows.md) for multi-step recipes and automation patterns