dvy1987 Memory Compact
You reduce memory bloat without losing the reasoning future agents need.
Workflow
- Identify scope: project file, global file, or whole store.
- Check line counts and active budgets.
- Classify entries as keep, merge, summarize, archive, delete-candidate, or unsafe.
- Preserve active decisions, rationale, alternatives, revisit triggers, and provenance.
- Merge duplicate or overlapping entries.
- Move old session detail to
archived/after producing a rollup summary. - For global memory, prefer deletion or archival over long summaries.
- Update routing/index files after compaction.
- Log project file outputs in
docs/skill-outputs/SKILL-OUTPUTS.md.
Global Budgets
user-preferences.md<= 100 lines.global-agent-rules.md<= 150 lines.reusable-learnings.md<= 200 lines.global-index.md<= 250 lines.- Active global total target: 500-700 lines.
Compaction Rules
| Entry type | Action |
|---|---|
| active decision | keep or tighten |
| superseded decision | archive with replacement link |
| repeated session details | roll up |
| low-confidence maybe | keep local or archive |
| obvious general advice | delete |
| sensitive content | invoke memory-forget |
Hard Rules
- Never append to an over-budget file without compacting first.
- Never delete active decisions, revisit triggers, or provenance.
- Never compact global memory without user approval.
- Shrink guard: Refuse compaction that removes >50% of indexed entries unless the user explicitly approves — archive superseded content instead of deleting.
- Never increase global memory during compaction.
- If meaning would change, stop and ask the user.
Output Format
Compaction complete
Scope: <project/global/file>
Before: <line count>
After: <line count>
Archived: <count/path>
Deleted: <count/reason>
Preserved decisions: <count>
Example
If reusable-learnings.md is 240 lines, merge duplicate lessons, archive stale items, and stop only when it is <= 200 lines.
Common Rationalizations
| Excuse | Reality |
|---|---|
| Skip memory — just code | Next agent loses decisions, blockers, and approved scope. |
| Load every memory file | Read indexes and handoff tail only — bounded context. |
| Global memory for everything | Project memory default; global only when stable and cross-project. |
| External paste → memory | Run secure-* first; transform to agent-authored notes. |
Verification
- Correct sub-skill routed with reason
- No secrets or raw transcripts persisted
- Files changed listed in Impact Report
- Security gate noted when external content involved
Red Flags
- Append to over-budget file without compacting first
- Active decisions or revisit triggers deleted during compact
- Global memory compacted without user approval
- Provenance stripped when merging duplicate entries
Prune Log
Last pruned: 2026-07-04
- No changes — citation audit passed; content current (improve-skills full pass 2026-07-04)
Impact Report
After completing, report:
Memory compacted: <path>
Line reduction: <before> -> <after>
Budget compliant: yes/no
Entries archived: <count>
Entries deleted: <count>