name: atuin-memory description: Check, store, and retrieve project memories from atuin kv. Use when starting work on a project, recalling previous context, storing plans or specs, or when the user mentions memory, atuin, or project context. allowed-tools:
- Bash(atuin *)
- Bash(git rev-parse *)
- Bash(git branch *)
- Bash(basename *)
- Bash(pwd)
- Bash(cat *)
- Bash(echo *)
- Bash(grep *)
- Bash(head *)
- Read
Project Memory with Atuin
Store and retrieve project context using atuin kv to persist across sessions.
Project Detection
Reuse these variables in all commands:
PROJECT=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)" 2>/dev/null || basename "$PWD")
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current 2>/dev/null)
BRANCH=${BRANCH:-main}
Before Starting Work
echo "=== $PROJECT ($BRANCH) ==="
# Discover what memories exist for this project
atuin kv list --namespace "project-metadata" | grep -F "$PROJECT-" || echo "(no memories found)"
Then retrieve relevant memories:
# Empty output means memory doesn't exist
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan"
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-spec"
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-todo"
Acting on Retrieved Memories
<memory-actions> <on-retrieval> - Check if stored plan/spec/todo still matches git state and current goals - Briefly summarize what you found so user can correct misunderstandings - Raise blockers, gaps, or open questions before proceeding—don't assume, ask - Pick up from first incomplete todo item; if none exist, start fresh </on-retrieval> <on-completion> - Update stored state after completing work so next session can resume cleanly </on-completion> </memory-actions>Storing Memories
For multi-line content, write to a temp file first to avoid shell escaping issues:
# 1. Write content to temp file
# 2. Store from temp file
atuin kv set --namespace "project-metadata" --key "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan" "$(cat /tmp/plan.md)"
# 3. Verify storage succeeded
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan" | head -5
For short single-line values, store directly:
atuin kv set --namespace "project-metadata" --key "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-status" "in-progress"
Key Naming
| Key Pattern | Purpose |
|---|---|
{project}-{branch}-plan | Implementation plans |
{project}-{branch}-spec | Specifications/designs |
{project}-{branch}-todo | Task state |
{project}-{branch}-session-$(date +%Y-%m-%d) | Session summaries (use current date) |
Deleting Memories
# Delete a specific key
atuin kv delete --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan"
# Verify deletion (should return empty)
atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "$PROJECT-$BRANCH-plan"
Quick Reference
Argument syntax is inconsistent across subcommands — pay attention to positional vs flag arguments:
| Operation | Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| List all | atuin kv list --namespace "project-metadata" | |
| Get | atuin kv get --namespace "project-metadata" "key" | KEY is positional |
| Set | atuin kv set --namespace "project-metadata" --key "key" "value" | KEY is --key flag, VALUE is positional |
| Delete | atuin kv delete --namespace "project-metadata" "key" | KEY is positional (not --key) |