Memory Discipline Worker

Memory Discipline Worker

NOTE: Startup and cleanup are handled by worker-base. This skill defines the WORK PROCEDURE.

When to Use This Skill

Features that enforce size/line caps on markdown memory files, add pruning logic, archive overflow content, or report memory health.

Work Procedure

1. Read the feature description carefully. Understand which files are affected and what the expected caps are (25KB / 200 lines).

2. Read source files. Before modifying:

   • Read .claude/lib/memory/memory-rotator.cjs fully (current rotation logic)
   • Read .claude/lib/memory/memory-paths.cjs for canonical path definitions
   • Read AGENTS.md for CC patterns reference

3. Write tests first (red). Create test file at tests/lib/memory/<descriptive-name>.test.cjs. Tests should cover:

   • Files over KB cap are pruned
   • Files over line cap are pruned
   • Both caps enforced independently
   • Archive file created with removed content
   • Warning line appended after truncation
   • [PERMANENT] sections preserved
   • Edge cases: empty files, missing files, files under cap Use temp directories for isolation. Run tests — they should FAIL.

4. Implement changes.

   • Add line-count enforcement alongside existing KB enforcement
   • Lower the KB threshold from 40KB to 25KB
   • Preserve [PERMANENT] sections during pruning
   • Append truncation warning after pruning
   • Archive pruned content with timestamp in filename

5. Run tests (green). All tests pass.

6. Run lint and format.

   pnpm lint
   npx prettier --check <modified-files>
   

7. Run existing memory tests for regression.

   node --test tests/lib/memory/memory-rotator.test.cjs
   

Example Handoff

{
  "salientSummary": "Added 25KB/200-line dual cap enforcement to memory-rotator.cjs. Preserved [PERMANENT] sections during pruning. Archive file created for overflow. 24 tests.",
  "whatWasImplemented": "enforceMemoryCaps() function in memory-rotator.cjs enforces both 25KB and 200-line caps. Prunes oldest non-[PERMANENT] sections. Archives to .claude/context/memory/archive/<name>-YYYY-MM-DD.md. Appends warning line.",
  "whatWasLeftUndone": "",
  "verification": {
    "commandsRun": [
      { "command": "node --test tests/lib/memory/memory-cap-enforcement.test.cjs", "exitCode": 0, "observation": "24 tests passing" },
      { "command": "node --test tests/lib/memory/memory-rotator.test.cjs", "exitCode": 0, "observation": "Existing tests still pass" },
      { "command": "pnpm lint", "exitCode": 0, "observation": "0 errors" }
    ]
  }
}

When to Return to Orchestrator

• memory-rotator.cjs has a significantly different structure than expected
• [PERMANENT] section format is different than assumed
• Archive directory doesn't exist and can't be created