create-memory-bank

Create Memory Bank — Cursor Rule (Greenfield)

Trigger: User says "create memory bank", "initialize memory bank", or "setup memory bank". This rule is NOT always-apply — it activates only when Cursor detects a matching request.

For existing projects with code: Use "adopt memory bank" instead — it analyzes the codebase and pre-fills memory bank files with real data.

When Triggered

Step 1 — Gather project information

Ask the user:

1. Project name: What is the project called?
2. Technical domains: What are the main development areas? (e.g., backend, frontend, infrastructure)
3. Tech stack per domain: What technologies are used?
4. Current phase: Kickoff, active development, or maintenance?

Step 2 — Create directory structure

memory-bank/
├── INDEX.md
├── core/
│   ├── projectbrief.md
│   ├── productContext.md
│   ├── active-context.md
│   └── sprint-tracker.md
├── tech/
│   └── (one file per domain)
└── arch/
    ├── patterns-overview.md
    └── decisions-summary.md

Step 3 — Create project root files

1. memory-bank-protocol.md — COMB methodology (read memory-bank-protocol.md for template)
2. project-rules.md — Project rules with dynamic zone (read project-rules.md for template)
3. .cursor/rules/memory-bank.mdc — This file's companion: auto-loader wrapper

Step 4 — Fill INDEX.md

The INDEX is the most critical file. It must contain:

• Project overview (name, team, version, status)
• Smart reading strategy decision tree (customized to domains)
• Cache-aware reading order (static before dynamic)
• File map with line counts
• Key technologies summary

Step 5 — Create core and domain files

• core/projectbrief.md — Project scope, goals, constraints
• core/productContext.md — Product vision, target users
• core/active-context.md — Current phase and first tasks
• core/sprint-tracker.md — Sprint 1 if applicable
• tech/{domain}-stack.md — One per domain with tech choices and patterns
• arch/patterns-overview.md — Initial architecture patterns
• arch/decisions-summary.md — ADR-001: initial architecture