Nmem Memory Search

Search Memory

Use Nowledge Mem proactively when prior knowledge would materially improve the answer.

Strong Signals

Search when:

• the user references previous work, a prior fix, or an earlier decision
• the task resumes a named feature, bug, refactor, incident, or subsystem
• a debugging pattern resembles something solved earlier
• the user asks for rationale, preferences, procedures, or recurring workflow details
• the user uses implicit recall language: "that approach", "like before"

Contextual signals — consider searching when:

• complex debugging where prior context would narrow the search space
• architecture discussion that may intersect with past decisions
• domain-specific conventions the user has established before
• the current result is ambiguous and past context would make the answer sharper

Token-Efficient Retrieval Routing & Graph Neighborhoods

To minimize token usage, avoid bloating the conversation context, and prevent terminal permission prompts, follow this interface hierarchy:

1. Nowledge FS (MCP mem_fs) - Best for Unified File Actions:
   • For listing, searching, checking size, or loading chunks of memories, threads, wiki pages, or documents, call the MCP mem_fs tool.
   • Use the "Start broad, then narrow" pattern:
     • Run mem_fs with command: "recall", path: "/memories", query: "..." for semantic searches.
     • Run mem_fs with command: "grep", query: "..." to search text across memories, threads, and library sources.
     • Run mem_fs with command: "stat" to check the file size and line counts cheaply before loading.
     • Run mem_fs with command: "cat", path: "...", line: START, lines: COUNT to fetch only the required window, avoiding context bloat.
2. Specialized MCP Tools:
   • Use memory_search for durable knowledge queries.
   • Use thread_search followed by thread_fetch_messages (always passing a small limit like 5 or 10) to paginatedly check thread histories.
   • Use memory_neighbors or explore_graph to expand graph neighborhoods selectively.
3. CLI Fallback (Only if MCP is unavailable):
   • Important: nmem fs CLI commands take positional arguments (do NOT pass --query or --path flags):
     • Recall: nmem fs recall "<query>"
     • Read/Cat: nmem fs cat "<path>" --line START --lines COUNT
     • Grep: nmem fs grep "<pattern>" <path>
     • Stat/Find/Ls: nmem fs stat "<path>", nmem fs find "<query>", nmem fs ls /
   • For direct question asking/synthesis across all sources: nmem ask "question" (use --ephemeral to avoid creating a Timeline entry, and --json for structured sources).
   • For memory/thread lookups: nmem --json m search "<query>" or nmem --json t search "<query>" (with pagination).

Prefer the smallest retrieval surface that answers the question.

If the runtime already knows the active project or agent lane, add --space "<space name>" to these commands.

Mention source threads when they add useful historical context.