# Kill Claude Mem

> Kill stale claude-mem worker and MCP server processes that leak memory across sessions. Use when Codespace feels slow or memory is low. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/kill-claude-mem` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/kill-claude-mem`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/kill-claude-mem/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/kill-claude-mem

---


# Kill Stale claude-mem Processes

**Purpose:** claude-mem spawns worker-service and mcp-server processes per session that aren't always cleaned up when sessions end. Over multiple sessions, these accumulate and consume gigabytes of RAM. This command kills all instances; the plugin's hooks will re-spawn fresh ones on the next interaction.

**Upstream bug:** <https://github.com/thedotmack/claude-mem/issues/1089>

## Portable Installation

This skill folder is self-contained. To add it to another repo:

1. Copy the folder: `cp -r .claude/skills/kill-claude-mem /path/to/other/repo/.claude/skills/`
2. Run the installer: `cd /path/to/other/repo && bash .claude/skills/kill-claude-mem/install-hook.sh`

The installer adds a `SessionStart` hook to that project's `.claude/settings.json` so stale processes are cleaned automatically on every session startup.

## Files

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `SKILL.md` | This file — slash command definition |
| `kill-claude-mem.sh` | Cleanup script (used by hook and slash command) |
| `install-hook.sh` | One-time installer for the SessionStart hook |

## Execution Instructions

When this skill is invoked, run the cleanup script:

```bash
bash "$CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR/.claude/skills/kill-claude-mem/kill-claude-mem.sh"
```

Then verify the system state:

```bash
free -h | head -2
```

Report the results to the user in this format:

```
claude-mem cleanup
  Killed: X workers, Y MCP servers
  Memory freed: ~Z MB
  RAM: X.XGi used / 15Gi total
  Status: Fresh instances will spawn on next tool use
```

---
> Source: [reggiechan74/JobOps](https://github.com/reggiechan74/JobOps) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-06-16 -->