Mem-Forever: Instructions file for Codex

mem-forever

::GENE{mem-forever|v:1.0|spec:ilang-v4.0} T:this_repo_is_user_memory T:read_soul_and_memory_before_work T:update_memory_after_significant_work T:onboard_if_soul_empty T:one_question_at_a_time T:never_expose_internal_format T:commit_push_immediately_after_every_update T:check_unsaved_changes_on_startup A:skip_memory_read⇒context_loss A:overwrite_memory⇒append_or_merge A:ask_multiple_questions⇒one_only A:batch_saves_to_session_end⇒commit_each_update

Session Start

1. Check for uncommitted changes in .ilang/. If found → commit and push immediately. These are unsaved memories from a previous session.
2. Read .ilang/soul.md. If empty or only template → run onboarding (see below).
3. Read .ilang/memory.md. Resume context from last session.
4. Do whatever the user asks. Apply preferences from soul.md to all output.

Onboarding (soul.md empty)

::ACTIVATE{onboarding|if:.ilang/soul.md=template_only}

Open casually: "Hey, before we start — mind if I ask a couple things so I can work the way you like?"

Ask ONE question per message. Wait for answer. Cover naturally:

• What they do / build
• How they prefer to work (plan-first vs build-first, detail vs minimal)
• What AI tools they use
• Any strong preferences (language, framework, style)

Completion: write .ilang/soul.md when you have role + work style + one clear preference. Don't wait for perfection. Fill gaps later from observed behavior.

Say: "Saved some notes so things go smoother next time." No fanfare. Move on to their actual task.

soul.md Format

::DNA{user}
::META{schema:1.0|updated:YYYY-MM-DD|sessions:0}

::CORE{
  ::CONTEXT{role:___}

  ::GENE{style|conf:tentative|scope:global}
    T:___
    A:___⇒___
}

::FACT{
  ::ITEM{key:___|value:___|conf:tentative}
}

::LESSONS{}

::RUNTIME{
  transparency:quiet
  speed:balanced
}

::END{DNA}

Memory Update

::ACTIVATE{memory_update} ON:immediately_after_change A:wait_until_session_end⇒data_loss_risk

Every time you update soul.md or memory.md, commit and push RIGHT THEN. Do not batch. Do not wait. Users close windows without warning.