Files
Drew Cain 6d06c4a4e7 docs(ci): fix stale basicmachines.co post-release step
The marketing site moved to basicmemory.com (repo basicmachines-co/basicmemory.com,
now Astro + React) and no longer renders a hardcoded version number anywhere in
its UI — src/components/sections/hero.tsx has no version string. The post-release
instruction to bump the version there is obsolete. Replace it across the runbook
(release.md), AGENTS.md post-release tasks, and the release/beta justfile reminders
with the current reality: no version bump; optionally add a dated blog post under
src/content/blog/ for significant releases; skip for patches.

Signed-off-by: Drew Cain <groksrc@gmail.com>
2026-06-13 14:53:52 -05:00

548 lines
28 KiB
Markdown

# AGENTS.md - Basic Memory Project Guide
## Project Overview
Basic Memory is a local-first knowledge management system built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It enables
bidirectional communication between LLMs (like Claude) and markdown files, creating a personal knowledge graph that can
be traversed using links between documents.
## CODEBASE DEVELOPMENT
### Project information
See the [README.md](README.md) file for a project overview.
### Build and Test Commands
- Install: `just install` or `pip install -e ".[dev]"`
- Run all tests (SQLite + Postgres): `just test`
- Run all tests against SQLite: `just test-sqlite`
- Run all tests against Postgres: `just test-postgres` (uses testcontainers)
- Run unit tests (SQLite): `just test-unit-sqlite`
- Run unit tests (Postgres): `just test-unit-postgres`
- Run integration tests (SQLite): `just test-int-sqlite`
- Run integration tests (Postgres): `just test-int-postgres`
- Run impacted tests: `just testmon` (pytest-testmon; only tests affected by changed code)
- Run MCP smoke test: `just test-smoke`
- Fast local loop: `just fast-check` (default iteration flow)
- Local consistency check: `just doctor`
- Run all consolidated agent package checks: `just package-check`
- Run Claude Code plugin checks: `just package-check-claude-code`
- Run shared skills checks: `just package-check-skills`
- Run Hermes plugin checks: `just package-check-hermes`
- Run OpenClaw plugin checks: `just package-check-openclaw`
- Run host-native agent harness checks: `just agent-harness-check`
- Generate HTML coverage: `just coverage`
- Single test: `pytest tests/path/to/test_file.py::test_function_name`
- Run benchmarks: `pytest test-int/test_sync_performance_benchmark.py -v -m "benchmark and not slow"`
- Lint: `just lint` or `ruff check . --fix`
- Type check: `just typecheck` or `uv run ty check src tests test-int`
- Type check (pyright): `just typecheck-pyright` or `uv run pyright`
- Format: `just format` or `uv run ruff format .`
- Run all code checks: `just check` (runs lint, format, typecheck, test)
- Create db migration: `just migration "Your migration message"`
- Run development MCP Inspector: `just run-inspector`
**Note:** Project requires Python 3.12+ (uses type parameter syntax and `type` aliases introduced in 3.12)
**Postgres Testing:** Uses [testcontainers](https://testcontainers-python.readthedocs.io/) which automatically spins up a Postgres instance in Docker. No manual database setup required - just have Docker running.
**Doctor Note:** `just doctor` runs with a temporary HOME/config so it won't touch your local Basic Memory settings. It leaves temp dirs in `/tmp` (safe to ignore or remove).
**Testmon Note:** When no files have changed, `just testmon` may collect 0 tests. That's expected and means no impacted tests were detected.
### Code/Test/Verify Loop (fast path)
1) **Code:** make changes.
2) **Test:** `just fast-check` (lint/format/typecheck + pytest-testmon impacted tests for changed code).
3) **Verify:** `just doctor` (end-to-end file ↔ DB loop in a temp project).
4) **Package verify:** `just package-check` when changes touch `plugins/`, `skills/`, `integrations/`, package metadata, or release wiring.
5) **Full gate (when needed):** `just test` or `just check` for SQLite + Postgres.
Run `just test-smoke` when you specifically need the MCP smoke flow.
If testmon is “cold,” the first run may be long. Subsequent runs get much faster.
### Consolidated Agent Package Checks
The monorepo ships several host-native packages alongside the Python core. Use the root justfile as the canonical entry point:
- `just package-check` — validates every copied package and generated bundle path.
- `just package-check-claude-code` — validates the root and plugin-local Claude marketplace manifests, the SessionStart/PreCompact hooks, the bundled output style, and the seed schemas, then runs `claude plugin validate . --strict`.
- `just package-check-skills` — validates every top-level `skills/memory-*/SKILL.md` frontmatter block.
- `just package-check-hermes` — validates `integrations/hermes/plugin.yaml`, the Hermes provider entrypoint, bundled skill, and runs the hermetic unit suite.
- `just package-check-openclaw` — runs the OpenClaw package install, copies top-level skills into the generated bundle, typechecks, lints, builds `dist/`, runs Bun tests, and performs `npm pack --dry-run`.
- `just agent-harness-check` — checks the host-specific harnesses without the shared markdown-only skills target.
Package-local justfiles live in `plugins/claude-code/`, `skills/`, `integrations/hermes/`, and `integrations/openclaw/`. Prefer the root targets for PR verification so command names stay stable as package internals evolve.
### PR CI Gate
Before opening or updating a PR, run the checks that mirror the common required CI failures:
- Run `just typecheck` in addition to targeted `ruff` and `pytest` commands when tests were added or changed.
- Sign commits with `git commit -s` so DCO passes. If a PR branch already has unsigned commits, rewrite the branch with signed-off commits before asking for review.
- Use a semantic PR title accepted by `.github/workflows/pr-title.yml`: `type(scope): summary`.
- Use one of the allowed scopes: `core`, `cli`, `api`, `mcp`, `sync`, `ui`, `ci`, `deps`, `installer`, `plugins`, `skills`, `integrations`.
### Test Structure
- `tests/` - Unit tests for individual components (mocked, fast)
- `test-int/` - Integration tests for real-world scenarios (no mocks, realistic)
- Both directories are covered by unified coverage reporting
- Benchmark tests in `test-int/` are marked with `@pytest.mark.benchmark`
- Slow tests are marked with `@pytest.mark.slow`
- Smoke tests are marked with `@pytest.mark.smoke`
### Code Style Guidelines
- Line length: 100 characters max
- Python 3.12+ with full type annotations (uses type parameters and type aliases)
- Format with ruff (consistent styling)
- Import order: standard lib, third-party, local imports
- Naming: snake_case for functions/variables, PascalCase for classes
- Prefer async patterns with SQLAlchemy 2.0
- Use Pydantic v2 for data validation and schemas
- CLI uses Typer for command structure
- API uses FastAPI for endpoints
- Follow the repository pattern for data access
- Tools communicate to api routers via the httpx ASGI client (in process)
### Programming Style
See [docs/ENGINEERING_STYLE.md](docs/ENGINEERING_STYLE.md) for the fuller house style. The
short version for agents:
- Prefer type-safe, explicit designs over object-heavy indirection. Use Python 3.12 `type`
aliases, full annotations, and narrow `Protocol`s when a caller only needs a capability.
- Use dataclasses for internal value objects and operation results; use Pydantic v2 at API,
CLI, MCP, and persistence boundaries where validation and serialization matter.
- Keep async boundaries obvious. Resource-owning code should use context managers, propagate
cancellation, and avoid hidden background work unless the lifecycle is explicit.
- Fail fast. Do not add silent fallback logic, broad exception swallowing, speculative
`getattr`, or casts that hide an unclear model shape.
- Keep control flow simple and local. Push branching decisions up, keep leaf helpers focused,
and name values after the domain concept they carry.
- Use evidence-first testing. Add or update meaningful regression tests for bugs and risky
behavior, prefer real code paths over mocks, and run the narrowest command that proves the
change before widening verification.
- Comments should explain why a branch, invariant, or constraint exists. Avoid comments that
merely narrate obvious code.
### Code Change Guidelines
- **Full file read before edits**: Before editing any file, read it in full first to ensure complete context; partial reads lead to corrupted edits
- **Minimize diffs**: Prefer the smallest change that satisfies the request. Avoid unrelated refactors or style rewrites unless necessary for correctness
- **House style is canonical**: Follow the Programming Style section above for type-safe,
fail-fast code; do not hide unclear models with speculative attributes, broad exception
handling, casts, or unapproved fallback logic
- **No guessing**: Do not say "The issue is..." before you actually know what the issue is. Investigate first.
### Literate Programming Style
Code should tell a story. Comments must explain the "why" and narrative flow, not just the "what".
**Section Headers:**
For files with multiple phases of logic, add section headers so the control flow reads like chapters:
```python
# --- Authentication ---
# ... auth logic ...
# --- Data Validation ---
# ... validation logic ...
# --- Business Logic ---
# ... core logic ...
```
**Decision Point Comments:**
For conditionals that materially change behavior (gates, fallbacks, retries, feature flags), add comments with:
- **Trigger**: what condition causes this branch
- **Why**: the rationale (cost, correctness, UX, determinism)
- **Outcome**: what changes downstream
```python
# Trigger: project has no active sync watcher
# Why: avoid duplicate file system watchers consuming resources
# Outcome: starts new watcher, registers in active_watchers dict
if project_id not in active_watchers:
start_watcher(project_id)
```
**Constraint Comments:**
If code exists because of a constraint (async requirements, rate limits, schema compatibility), explain the constraint near the code:
```python
# SQLite requires WAL mode for concurrent read/write access
connection.execute("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")
```
**What NOT to Comment:**
Avoid comments that restate obvious code:
```python
# Bad - restates code
counter += 1 # increment counter
# Good - explains why
counter += 1 # track retries for backoff calculation
```
### Codebase Architecture
See [docs/ARCHITECTURE.md](docs/ARCHITECTURE.md) for detailed architecture documentation.
**Directory Structure:**
- `/alembic` - Alembic db migrations
- `/api` - FastAPI REST endpoints + `container.py` composition root
- `/cli` - Typer CLI + `container.py` composition root
- `/deps` - Feature-scoped FastAPI dependencies (config, db, projects, repositories, services, importers)
- `/importers` - Import functionality for Claude, ChatGPT, and other sources
- `/markdown` - Markdown parsing and processing
- `/mcp` - MCP server + `container.py` composition root + `clients/` typed API clients
- `/models` - SQLAlchemy ORM models
- `/repository` - Data access layer
- `/schemas` - Pydantic models for validation
- `/services` - Business logic layer
- `/sync` - File synchronization services + `coordinator.py` for lifecycle management
- `/plugins/claude-code` - Claude Code plugin marketplace package, hooks, skills, and agent harness
- `/skills` - Canonical framework-agnostic Basic Memory `SKILL.md` source
- `/integrations/hermes` - Hermes memory-provider plugin
- `/integrations/openclaw` - OpenClaw npm/TypeScript plugin
**Composition Roots:**
Each entrypoint (API, MCP, CLI) has a composition root that:
- Reads `ConfigManager` (the only place that reads global config)
- Resolves runtime mode via `RuntimeMode` enum (TEST > CLOUD > LOCAL)
- Provides dependencies to downstream code explicitly
**Typed API Clients (MCP):**
MCP tools use typed clients in `mcp/clients/` to communicate with the API:
- `KnowledgeClient` - Entity CRUD operations
- `SearchClient` - Search operations
- `MemoryClient` - Context building
- `DirectoryClient` - Directory listing
- `ResourceClient` - Resource reading
- `ProjectClient` - Project management
Flow: MCP Tool → Typed Client → HTTP API → Router → Service → Repository
### Development Notes
- MCP tools are defined in src/basic_memory/mcp/tools/
- MCP prompts are defined in src/basic_memory/mcp/prompts/
- MCP tools should be atomic, composable operations
- Use `textwrap.dedent()` for multi-line string formatting in prompts and tools
- MCP Prompts are used to invoke tools and format content with instructions for an LLM
- Schema changes require Alembic migrations
- SQLite is used for indexing and full text search, files are source of truth
- Testing uses pytest with asyncio support (strict mode)
- Unit tests (`tests/`) use mocks when necessary; integration tests (`test-int/`) use real implementations
- By default, tests run against SQLite (fast, no Docker needed)
- Set `BASIC_MEMORY_TEST_POSTGRES=1` to run against Postgres (uses testcontainers - Docker required)
- Each test runs in a standalone environment with isolated database and tmp_path directory
- CI runs SQLite and Postgres tests in parallel for faster feedback
- Performance benchmarks are in `test-int/test_sync_performance_benchmark.py`
- Use pytest markers: `@pytest.mark.benchmark` for benchmarks, `@pytest.mark.slow` for slow tests
- **Coverage must stay at 100%**: Write tests for new code. Only use `# pragma: no cover` when tests would require excessive mocking (e.g., TYPE_CHECKING blocks, error handlers that need failure injection, runtime-mode-dependent code paths)
### Async Client Pattern (Important!)
**MCP tools use `get_project_client()` for per-project routing:**
```python
from basic_memory.mcp.project_context import get_project_client
@mcp.tool()
async def my_tool(project: str | None = None, context: Context | None = None):
async with get_project_client(project, context) as (client, active_project):
# client is routed based on project's mode (local ASGI or cloud HTTP)
response = await call_get(client, "/path")
return response
```
**CLI commands and non-project-scoped code use `get_client()` directly:**
```python
from basic_memory.mcp.async_client import get_client
async def my_cli_command():
async with get_client() as client:
response = await call_get(client, "/path")
return response
# Per-project routing (when project name is known):
async with get_client(project_name="research") as client:
...
```
**Do NOT use:**
-`from basic_memory.mcp.async_client import client` (deprecated module-level client)
- ❌ Manual auth header management
-`inject_auth_header()` (deleted)
- ❌ Separate `get_client()` + `get_active_project()` in MCP tools (use `get_project_client()` instead)
**Key principles:**
- Auth happens at client creation, not per-request
- Proper resource management via context managers
- Per-project routing: each project can be LOCAL or CLOUD independently
- Cloud projects use API key (`cloud_api_key` in config) as Bearer token
- Routing priority: factory injection > force-local > per-project cloud > global cloud > local ASGI
- Factory pattern enables dependency injection for cloud consolidation
**For cloud app integration:**
```python
from basic_memory.mcp import async_client
# Set custom factory before importing tools
async_client.set_client_factory(your_custom_factory)
```
See SPEC-16 for full context manager refactor details.
### Release Process
Releases are driven by `just release` / `just beta` — never by a bare `git tag`. The recipes bump version metadata, run pre-flight checks, land the bump on `main` through a release PR, tag, and push the tag. GitHub Actions then publishes to PyPI and updates the Homebrew formula.
**Main requires PRs.** The `main` ruleset rejects direct pushes ("Changes must be made through a pull request") and the repo disallows merge commits, so the recipes push a `release/vX.Y.Z` branch, open a PR titled `chore(core): release vX.Y.Z`, rebase-merge it with `gh pr merge --rebase`, then tag the rebased bump commit on `main` (located by its commit subject, since rebasing rewrites the SHA) and push the tag. The CHANGELOG entry for the version must already be on `main` — land it via a normal PR before running the recipe (it pre-flight-checks for a `## vX.Y.Z` heading).
**Stable release:**
```
just release v0.21.3
```
The recipe runs `just lint` + `just typecheck`, then updates every release manifest through `scripts/update_versions.py`: `src/basic_memory/__init__.py`, `server.json`, the root Claude marketplace, the Claude Code plugin manifest and local marketplace, the Hermes `plugin.yaml`, and the OpenClaw `package.json`. It commits as `chore: update version to X.Y.Z for vX.Y.Z release` on a `release/vX.Y.Z` branch, lands it on `main` via a rebase-merged PR, then tags the rebased commit and pushes the tag. After the tag lands, the `Release` workflow builds the Python package, publishes to PyPI, creates the GitHub release with auto-generated notes, publishes the OpenClaw npm package, and updates the Homebrew formula. The recipe finishes by printing the post-release tasks the workflow doesn't cover.
**Beta release:** `just beta v0.21.3b1` — same flow with a beta-suffixed tag. PyPI consumers install with `pip install basic-memory --pre`.
**Release dry run:** `just release-dry-run v0.21.4` previews the consolidated version update without writing files.
**Development builds:** every commit to `main` publishes a `0.21.3.dev26+468a22f`-style version to PyPI automatically via `.github/workflows/dev-release.yml`. No human action.
**Do not tag releases by hand.** A bare `git tag vX.Y.Z` skips the in-code version bump. Package metadata is still correct (uv-dynamic-versioning derives it from the git tag) but `basic-memory --version` reports the previous release, which is what happened with v0.21.2 → v0.21.3.
**Post-release tasks** the recipe surfaces but doesn't run:
- `docs.basicmemory.com` — add a What's New page under `content/2.whats-new/` and bump the version badge in `content/index.md` (the changelog page auto-fetches GitHub releases; see that repo's CLAUDE.md version-bump checklist)
- `basicmemory.com` — the marketing site (Astro + React, repo
`basicmachines-co/basicmemory.com`, formerly `basicmachines.co`) carries **no
hardcoded version number** in its UI, so there is nothing to bump. For a
significant release, optionally add a dated announcement post under
`src/content/blog/` (model it on an existing `basic-memory-vX-Y-Z-release.md`).
Skip entirely for routine patch releases.
- MCP Registry — `mcp-publisher publish` from the repo root
See `.claude/commands/release/release.md` (and `beta.md`, `release-check.md`, `changelog.md` alongside it) for the full release + post-release runbook, including the slash commands.
## BASIC MEMORY PRODUCT USAGE
### Knowledge Structure
- Entity: Any concept, document, or idea represented as a markdown file
- Observation: A categorized fact about an entity (`- [category] content`)
- Relation: A directional link between entities (`- relation_type [[Target]]`)
- Frontmatter: YAML metadata at the top of markdown files
- Knowledge representation follows precise markdown format:
- Observations with [category] prefixes
- Relations with WikiLinks [[Entity]]
- Frontmatter with metadata
### Basic Memory Commands
**Local Commands:**
- Check sync status: `basic-memory status`
- Doctor check (file <-> DB loop): `basic-memory doctor`
- Import from Claude: `basic-memory import claude conversations`
- Import from ChatGPT: `basic-memory import chatgpt`
- Import from Memory JSON: `basic-memory import memory-json`
- Tool access: `basic-memory tool` (provides CLI access to MCP tools)
- Continue: `basic-memory tool continue-conversation --topic="search"`
**Project Management:**
- List projects: `basic-memory project list`
- Add project: `basic-memory project add "name" ~/path`
- Project info: `basic-memory project info`
- Set cloud mode: `basic-memory project set-cloud "name"`
- Set local mode: `basic-memory project set-local "name"`
- One-way sync (local -> cloud): `basic-memory project sync`
- Bidirectional sync: `basic-memory project bisync`
- Integrity check: `basic-memory project check`
**Cloud Commands (requires subscription):**
- Authenticate (global): `basic-memory cloud login`
- Logout (global): `basic-memory cloud logout`
- Check cloud status: `basic-memory cloud status`
- Setup cloud sync: `basic-memory cloud setup`
- Save API key: `basic-memory cloud set-key bmc_...`
- Create API key: `basic-memory cloud create-key "name"`
- Manage snapshots: `basic-memory cloud snapshot [create|list|delete|show|browse]`
- Restore from snapshot: `basic-memory cloud restore <path> --snapshot <id>`
**Cloud Sync Commands (Personal and Team workspaces):**
- Fetch cloud changes (cloud -> local): `basic-memory cloud pull --name "name"` (Team-safe; additive, never deletes local)
- Upload local changes (local -> cloud): `basic-memory cloud push --name "name"` (Team-safe; additive, never deletes cloud)
- Resolve conflicts on push/pull: `--on-conflict [fail|keep-local|keep-cloud|keep-both]` (default `fail` lists conflicts and aborts, git-style)
- One-way mirror (local -> cloud): `basic-memory cloud sync --name "name"` (Personal workspaces only; deletes cloud files missing locally)
- Two-way mirror (local <-> cloud): `basic-memory cloud bisync --name "name"` (Personal workspaces only)
### MCP Capabilities
- Basic Memory exposes these MCP tools to LLMs:
**Content Management:**
- `write_note(title, content, directory, tags)` - Create/update markdown notes with semantic observations and relations
- `read_note(identifier, page, page_size)` - Read notes by title, permalink, or memory:// URL with knowledge graph awareness
- `read_content(path)` - Read raw file content (text, images, binaries) without knowledge graph processing
- `view_note(identifier, page, page_size)` - View notes as formatted artifacts for better readability
- `edit_note(identifier, operation, content)` - Edit notes incrementally (append, prepend, find/replace, replace_section)
- `move_note(identifier, destination_path, is_directory)` - Move notes or directories to new locations, updating database and maintaining links
- `delete_note(identifier, is_directory)` - Delete notes or directories from the knowledge base
**Knowledge Graph Navigation:**
- `build_context(url, depth, timeframe)` - Navigate the knowledge graph via memory:// URLs for conversation continuity
- `recent_activity(type, depth, timeframe)` - Get recently updated information with specified timeframe (e.g., "1d", "1 week")
- `list_directory(dir_name, depth, file_name_glob)` - Browse directory contents with filtering and depth control
**Search & Discovery:**
- `search_notes(query, page, page_size, search_type, types, entity_types, after_date)` - Full-text search across all content with advanced filtering options
**Project Management:**
- `list_memory_projects()` - List all available projects with their status
- `create_memory_project(project_name, project_path, set_default)` - Create new Basic Memory projects
- `delete_project(project_name)` - Delete a project from configuration
**Visualization:**
- `canvas(nodes, edges, title, directory)` - Generate Obsidian canvas files for knowledge graph visualization
**ChatGPT-Compatible Tools:**
- `search(query)` - Search across knowledge base (OpenAI actions compatible)
- `fetch(id)` - Fetch full content of a search result document
- MCP Prompts for better AI interaction:
- `ai_assistant_guide()` - Guidance on effectively using Basic Memory tools for AI assistants
- `continue_conversation(topic, timeframe)` - Continue previous conversations with relevant historical context
- `search(query, after_date)` - Search with detailed, formatted results for better context understanding
- `recent_activity(timeframe)` - View recently changed items with formatted output
### Cloud Features (v0.15.0+)
Basic Memory now supports cloud synchronization and storage (requires active subscription):
**Authentication:**
- JWT-based authentication with subscription validation
- Secure session management with token refresh
- Support for multiple cloud projects
**Bidirectional Sync:**
- rclone bisync integration for two-way synchronization
- Conflict resolution and integrity verification
- Real-time sync with change detection
- Mount/unmount cloud storage for direct file access
**Cloud Project Management:**
- Create and manage projects in the cloud
- Toggle between local and cloud modes
- Per-project sync configuration
- Subscription-based access control
**Security & Performance:**
- Removed .env file loading for improved security
- .gitignore integration (respects gitignored files)
- WAL mode for SQLite performance
- Background relation resolution (non-blocking startup)
- API performance optimizations (SPEC-11)
**Per-Project Cloud Routing:**
Individual projects can be routed through the cloud while others stay local, using an API key:
```bash
# Save API key and set project to cloud mode
basic-memory cloud set-key bmc_abc123...
basic-memory project set-cloud research # route through cloud
basic-memory project set-local research # revert to local
```
MCP tools use `get_project_client()` which automatically routes based on the project's mode. Cloud projects use the `cloud_api_key` from config as Bearer token.
**CLI Routing Flags (Global Cloud Mode):**
When global cloud mode is enabled, CLI commands route to the cloud API by default. Use `--local` and `--cloud` flags to override:
```bash
# Force local routing (ignore cloud mode)
basic-memory status --local
basic-memory project list --local
# Force cloud routing (when cloud mode is disabled)
basic-memory status --cloud
basic-memory project info my-project --cloud
```
Key behaviors:
- The local MCP server (`basic-memory mcp`) automatically uses local routing
- This allows simultaneous use of local Claude Desktop and cloud-based clients
- Some commands (like `project default`, `project sync-config`, `project move`) require `--local` in cloud mode since they modify local configuration
- Environment variable `BASIC_MEMORY_FORCE_LOCAL=true` forces local routing globally
- Per-project cloud routing via API key works independently of global cloud mode
## AI-Human Collaborative Development
Basic Memory emerged from and enables a new kind of development process that combines human and AI capabilities. Instead
of using AI just for code generation, we've developed a true collaborative workflow:
1. AI (LLM) writes initial implementation based on specifications and context
2. Human reviews, runs tests, and commits code with any necessary adjustments
3. Knowledge persists across conversations using Basic Memory's knowledge graph
4. Development continues seamlessly across different AI sessions with consistent context
5. Results improve through iterative collaboration and shared understanding
This approach has allowed us to tackle more complex challenges and build a more robust system than either humans or AI
could achieve independently.
**Problem-Solving Guidance:**
- If a solution isn't working after reasonable effort, suggest alternative approaches
- Don't persist with a problematic library or pattern when better alternatives exist
- Example: When py-pglite caused cascading test failures, switching to testcontainers-postgres was the right call
## GitHub Integration
Basic Memory has taken AI-Human collaboration to the next level by integrating Claude directly into the development workflow through GitHub:
### GitHub MCP Tools
Using the GitHub Model Context Protocol server, Claude can now:
- **Repository Management**:
- View repository files and structure
- Read file contents
- Create new branches
- Create and update files
- **Issue Management**:
- Create new issues
- Comment on existing issues
- Close and update issues
- Search across issues
- **Pull Request Workflow**:
- Create pull requests
- Review code changes
- Add comments to PRs
This integration enables Claude to participate as a full team member in the development process, not just as a code generation tool. Claude's GitHub account ([bm-claudeai](https://github.com/bm-claudeai)) is a member of the Basic Machines organization with direct contributor access to the codebase.
### Collaborative Development Process
With GitHub integration, the development workflow includes:
1. **Direct code review** - Claude can analyze PRs and provide detailed feedback
2. **Contribution tracking** - All of Claude's contributions are properly attributed in the Git history
3. **Branch management** - Claude can create feature branches for implementations
4. **Documentation maintenance** - Claude can keep documentation updated as the code evolves
5. **Code Commits**: ALWAYS sign off commits with `git commit -s`
6. **Pull Request Titles**: PR titles must follow the semantic format enforced by `.github/workflows/pr-title.yml`: `type(scope): summary`
- Allowed types: `feat`, `fix`, `chore`, `docs`, `style`, `refactor`, `perf`, `test`, `build`, `ci`
- Allowed scopes: `core`, `cli`, `api`, `mcp`, `sync`, `ui`, `ci`, `deps`, `installer`, `plugins`, `skills`, `integrations`
- Example: `fix(cli): propagate cloud workspace routing`
This level of integration represents a new paradigm in AI-human collaboration, where the AI assistant becomes a full-fledged team member rather than just a tool for generating code snippets.