Review

/self-improving-agent:review — Analyze Auto-Memory

Performs a comprehensive audit of Claude Code's auto-memory and produces actionable recommendations.

Usage

/self-improving-agent:review                    # Full review
/self-improving-agent:review --quick            # Summary only (counts + top 3 candidates)
/self-improving-agent:review --stale            # Focus on stale/outdated entries
/self-improving-agent:review --candidates       # Show only promotion candidates

What It Does

Step 1: Locate memory directory

# Find the project's auto-memory directory
MEMORY_DIR="$HOME/.claude/projects/$(pwd | sed 's|/|%2F|g; s|%2F|/|; s|^/||')/memory"

# Fallback: check common path patterns
# ~/.claude/projects/<user>/<project>/memory/
# ~/.claude/projects/<absolute-path>/memory/

# List all memory files
ls -la "$MEMORY_DIR"/

If memory directory doesn't exist, report that auto-memory may be disabled. Suggest checking with /memory.

Step 2: Read and analyze MEMORY.md

Read the full MEMORY.md file. Count lines and check against the 200-line startup limit.

Analyze each entry for:

1. Recurrence indicators

   • Same concept appears multiple times (different wording)
   • References to "again" or "still" or "keeps happening"
   • Similar entries across topic files

2. Staleness indicators

   • References files that no longer exist (find to verify)
   • Mentions outdated tools, versions, or commands
   • Contradicts current CLAUDE.md rules

3. Consolidation opportunities

   • Multiple entries about the same topic (e.g., three lines about testing)
   • Entries that could merge into one concise rule

4. Promotion candidates — entries that meet ALL criteria:

   • Appeared in 2+ sessions (check wording patterns)
   • Not project-specific trivia (broadly useful)
   • Actionable (can be written as a concrete rule)
   • Not already in CLAUDE.md or .claude/rules/

Step 3: Read topic files

If MEMORY.md references or the directory contains additional files (debugging.md, patterns.md, etc.):

• Read each one
• Cross-reference with MEMORY.md for duplicates
• Check for entries that belong in the main file (high value) vs. topic files (details)

Step 4: Cross-reference with CLAUDE.md

Read the project's CLAUDE.md (if it exists) and compare:

• Are there MEMORY.md entries that duplicate CLAUDE.md rules? (→ remove from memory)
• Are there MEMORY.md entries that contradict CLAUDE.md? (→ flag conflict)
• Are there MEMORY.md patterns not yet in CLAUDE.md that should be? (→ promotion candidate)

Also check .claude/rules/ directory for existing scoped rules.

Step 5: Generate report

Output format:

📊 Auto-Memory Review

Memory Health:
  MEMORY.md:        {{lines}}/200 lines ({{percent}}%)
  Topic files:      {{count}} ({{names}})
  CLAUDE.md:        {{lines}} lines
  Rules:            {{count}} files in .claude/rules/

🎯 Promotion Candidates ({{count}}):
  1. "{{pattern}}" — seen {{n}}x, applies broadly
     → Suggest: {{target}} (CLAUDE.md / .claude/rules/{{name}}.md)
  2. ...

🗑️ Stale Entries ({{count}}):
  1. Line {{n}}: "{{entry}}" — {{reason}}
  2. ...

🔄 Consolidation ({{count}} groups):
  1. Lines {{a}}, {{b}}, {{c}} all about {{topic}} → merge into 1 entry
  2. ...

⚠️ Conflicts ({{count}}):
  1. MEMORY.md line {{n}} contradicts CLAUDE.md: {{detail}}

💡 Recommendations:
  - {{actionable suggestion}}
  - {{actionable suggestion}}

When to Use

• After completing a major feature or debugging session
• When /self-improving-agent:status shows MEMORY.md is over 150 lines
• Weekly during active development
• Before starting a new project phase
• After onboarding a new team member (review what Claude learned)

Tips

• Run /self-improving-agent:review --quick frequently (low overhead)
• Full review is most valuable when MEMORY.md is getting crowded
• Act on promotion candidates promptly — they're proven patterns
• Don't hesitate to delete stale entries — auto-memory will re-learn if needed