memories generate

memories generate [target] [options]

Generate native configuration files for AI coding tools from your memory store. Uses a two-step pipeline: memories are first written to a canonical .agents/ directory, then adapted to each tool's native format. This command reads stored memories and writes files; it does not create new memories in the database.

How It Works

Memory Store → .agents/ (canonical) → Tool-specific configs

Step 1 — Memories are written to .agents/ as tool-agnostic files (instructions.md, rules/*.md, skills/**/SKILL.md, settings.json)
Step 2 — The .agents/ content is translated to each target's native format

This two-step pipeline means every tool gets the richest possible configuration from a single source of truth.

Targets

Target	Default Output Path	Description
`agents`	`.agents/`	Canonical tool-agnostic directory
`cursor`	`.cursor/rules/`	Cursor rules with YAML frontmatter
`claude`	`CLAUDE.md` + `.claude/`	Claude Code instructions and rules
`factory`	`.factory/instructions.md`	Factory (Droid) instructions
`copilot`	`.github/copilot-instructions.md`	GitHub Copilot instructions
`windsurf`	`.windsurf/rules/memories.md`	Windsurf rules (6000 char limit)
`cline`	`.clinerules/memories.md`	Cline rules
`roo`	`.roo/rules/memories.md`	Roo rules
`gemini`	`GEMINI.md`	Gemini instructions

Options

Option	Description
`--types <types>`	Comma-separated memory types to include (default: `rule,decision,fact`)
`--dry-run`	Preview generated content without writing files
`--force`	Overwrite files even if not managed by memories.sh
`-o, --output <path>`	Custom output path (per-target subcommands only)
`-w, --watch`	Watch for database changes and auto-regenerate

Examples

Interactive target selection:

memories generate

Generate the canonical .agents/ directory:

memories generate agents

Generate for a specific tool (runs .agents/ then adapts):

memories generate cursor
memories generate claude

Generate for all detected targets:

memories generate all

Watch mode (auto-regenerate on database changes):

memories generate all --watch

Preview without writing:

memories generate cursor --dry-run

The `.agents/` Directory

The canonical output directory used as the intermediate format for all adapters:

.agents/
├── instructions.md           # Global rules, decisions, facts
├── rules/                    # Path-scoped rules with frontmatter
│   ├── api.md
│   └── testing.md
├── skills/                   # Agent Skills standard (SKILL.md)
│   └── deploy/
│       └── SKILL.md
└── settings.json             # Permissions, hooks, env vars

Path-Scoped Rules

Memories with a paths field generate individual rule files with YAML frontmatter:

---
paths:
  - "src/api/**"
  - "lib/api/**"
---

- Use RESTful naming conventions
- Return consistent error response format

These translate naturally to each tool's native path-scoping mechanism.

Adapter Behavior

Claude Code

`.agents/` source	Output	Strategy
`instructions.md`	`CLAUDE.md`	Copy with header
`rules/*.md`	`.claude/rules/*.md`	Copy (native `paths:` support)
`skills/**/SKILL.md`	`.claude/skills/**/SKILL.md`	Copy (identical format)
`settings.json`	`.claude/settings.json`	Merge permissions

Cursor

`.agents/` source	Output	Strategy
`instructions.md`	`.cursor/rules/memories.mdc`	Wrap with MDC frontmatter
`rules/*.md`	`.cursor/rules/{name}.mdc`	Translate `paths:` → `globs:`
`skills/**/SKILL.md`	`.cursor/skills/**/SKILL.md`	Copy (identical format)

Flat-File Targets

Copilot, Windsurf, Gemini, Cline, and Roo receive a single merged markdown file combining all instructions and rules with inline path annotations.

Overwrite Safety

Generated files include a  marker comment. The generate command will not overwrite files that lack this marker unless --force is used. This prevents accidentally overwriting hand-edited files.

Watch Mode

Watch mode monitors the database file for changes and auto-regenerates using the full two-step pipeline with a 500ms debounce. Useful during development when you're actively adding memories and want config files to stay in sync.

memories generate

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