mem-update

Memory Bank Update Workflow — v6.12 compliant with project-repo awareness. Use when the user invokes $mem-update or asks for this workflow by name.

mem-update (Sage Adaptation)

This skill is adapted from a personal Codex skill. Key changes:

• Step 0 added: Project-repo awareness (check timesarrow/code repos before workspace)
• Paths updated: Point to ~/.openclaw/workspace/code/mb-core/ instead of Windsurf paths
• Approval relaxed: Location verification instead of explicit user approval
• Cross-repo checks: Prevents duplicate tasks across workspace and project repos

Memory Bank Update Workflow (Enhanced v6.12 Compliance — Sage Adapted)

Step 0: Identify Correct Memory Bank Location

• Check if working on a project: Before touching ANY memory-bank files, determine:
  • Is there an active project with its own memory-bank? (e.g., timesarrow/memory-bank/)
  • Is this workspace/infrastructure work? (e.g., ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory-bank/)
• Rule: Project tasks → project memory-bank. Workspace tasks → workspace memory-bank.
• Scan locations:
  • ~/.openclaw/workspace/code/*/memory-bank/ (project repos)
  • ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory-bank/ (workspace)
  • ~/.openclaw/workspace/code/mb-core/ (mb-core repo for reference)

Step 1: Read Memory Bank Update Protocol

• First Action: Read the memory bank update protocol from ~/.openclaw/workspace/code/mb-core/integrated-rules-v6.12.md (Sections 1.5, 1.6, and 6.5)
• Alternative: If mb-core doesn't have it, check memory-bank/integrated-rules-v6.12.md in the target repo
• Purpose: Understand strict compliance requirements, file operation standards, and approval protocols
• Critical: Must read this before making any file modifications

Step 2: Deep Memory Bank Scan

• Comprehensive Scan: Perform deep scan of ENTIRE memory bank structure across ALL relevant repos
• Identify Related Content:
  • All existing tasks in memory-bank/tasks/ related to current work (check ALL project repos)
  • All sub-tasks and implementation details in memory-bank/implementation-details/
  • Relevant session files and cache entries
  • Current active context and task registry
• Critical: If a task exists in a project repo (e.g., timesarrow), DO NOT create it in workspace memory-bank
• Analysis: Determine relationships and dependencies between existing documentation

Step 3: Verify Location Before Creating

• Assessment: Based on deep scan, determine if new tasks, sub-tasks, or implementation docs are needed
• Location Check: Before creating ANY new file, verify:
  1. Does this task already exist in another repo's memory-bank?
  2. Is this project work or workspace infrastructure work?
  3. What is the CORRECT memory-bank location?
• If unsure: Ask user for confirmation of correct location
• Prevention: Never create duplicate tasks across workspace and project repos

Step 4: Initialize Context (Time & Timezone)

• Get Current Time: Determine current system time and timezone (IST format: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS TZ)
• Verify Timestamp Standards: Ensure compliance with v6.12 timestamp requirements
• Prepare for Updates: Have accurate timestamps ready for all file updates

Step 5: Update Specific Files (Task/Implementation)

• Template Compliance: All file updates MUST follow the exact formats given in ~/.openclaw/workspace/code/mb-core/memory-bank/templates/ folder
• Available Templates:
  • task-template.md for new task files
  • tasks.md for task registry
  • session_cache.md for session cache
  • edit_history.md for edit history
  • activeContext.md for active context
  • And other specialized templates as needed
• Targeted Updates: Update only the specific task files and implementation docs identified in Steps 0-2
• Strict Rule: Use edit_block (or equivalent) for updates. Never overwrite whole files unless creating new ones
• Schema Compliance: Follow v6.12 requirements AND template formats exactly
• Cross-repo awareness: When updating, check if linked files exist in the same repo. Don't link to files in other repos unless intentional.

Step 6: Update Registries (Strict Schema Enforced)

• tasks.md: Update status/timestamps
  • Constraint: Must match | ID | Title | Status | Priority | Started | Dependencies | Details |
  • Constraint: Status must be 🔄, ✅, ⏸️, or ❌
  • Constraint: Details must be [Details](tasks/Txx.md)
• session_cache.md: Update active tasks/history

Step 7: Update Session Log

• Check for sessions/YYYY-MM-DD-PERIOD.md in the target repo
• If exists: Update while PRESERVING EXISTING CONTENT. Append new work items
• If new: Create with standard header following v6.12 template

Step 8: Update History (Strict Regex Compliance)

• edit_history.md: Prepend new entry
  • Header: #### HH:MM:SS IST - TaskID: Description
  • Bullet: - Action relative/path - Description
  • Action: Created, Modified, Updated, Deleted

Step 9: Finalize

• Generate Commit Message: Create commit message per v6.12 format
• Verify Compliance: Ensure all updates follow strict v6.12 requirements
• Document Completion: Note workflow completion in appropriate logs