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description: Search across memory files for specific content. Use to find past decisions, recall when something was discussed, or locate specific knowledge.

Memory Search

Search across memory files for specific content.

Instructions

When this skill is triggered, perform the following steps:

Step 1: Get Search Query

If the user provided a query inline, use it. Otherwise prompt:

What would you like to search for?

You can also specify a scope:
- `sessions` - Only search session summaries
- `decisions` - Only search decision records
- `knowledge` - Only search knowledge files
- `all` - Search everything (default)

Example: "search decisions for rate limiting"

Step 2: Determine Scope

Parse the user's request to determine scope:

• If they mention "sessions" or "session summaries" -> scope: sessions
• If they mention "decisions" or "ADR" -> scope: decisions
• If they mention "knowledge" -> scope: knowledge
• Otherwise -> scope: all

Step 3: Search Files

Search the appropriate directories:

| Scope | Directory | |-------|-----------| | sessions | .claude/memory/sessions/*.md | | decisions | .claude/memory/decisions/*.md | | knowledge | .claude/memory/knowledge/*.md | | all | All of the above |

For each file, search for the query (case-insensitive) and note:

• Filename
• Line number(s) where matches occur
• Context around the match (2-3 lines before/after)

Step 4: Display Results

Present results in a formatted summary:

## Memory Search Results

**Query**: "[search term]"
**Scope**: [sessions/decisions/knowledge/all]
**Matches**: [count] results in [count] files

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### Sessions

#### 2024-01-15_14-30_summary.md
> Line 12: "Implemented **rate limiting** middleware..."
> Line 15: "Decision: Use sliding window **rate limiting**"

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### Decisions

#### 0003_rate_limiting_strategy.md
> Line 1: "# Decision 0003: **Rate Limiting** Strategy"
> Line 15: "Chose token bucket **rate limiting**..."

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### Knowledge

No matches found.

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**Tip**: Use `/memory-status` to see all available files.

Step 5: Offer Follow-up Actions

After showing results, offer:

Would you like me to:
1. Read any of these files in full?
2. Narrow the search to a specific scope?
3. Search for a different term?

File Paths

• Sessions: .claude/memory/sessions/
• Decisions: .claude/memory/decisions/
• Knowledge: .claude/memory/knowledge/

Search Features

Basic Search

Simple text matching (case-insensitive):

/memory-search authentication

Scoped Search

Limit to specific file types:

/memory-search decisions: JWT
/memory-search sessions: bug fix
/memory-search knowledge: API patterns

Date Filtering

Find content from specific time periods:

/memory-search sessions from last week: deployment
/memory-search decisions in January: database

Error Handling

• If no matches found, suggest:
  • Trying different search terms
  • Broadening the scope
  • Checking if memory system has content
• If memory directory doesn't exist, inform user to run setup
• If a directory is empty, note it and continue searching others