lil memory reference

File format

One memory is one Markdown file with one idea, linked to related memories with [[wikilinks]], like a Zettelkasten. A project is a note that links all of its notes, and they link back to it.

~/lil-memory/
├── global/prefers-british-spelling.md
├── global/acme-site.md                  # a project: links every note about it
├── global/acme-deploys-to-cloudflare.md # links back to [[acme-site]]
└── .lil-memory/                         # config and trash

---
id: 01J9XK3M7Q2R8S5T6V7W8X9Y0Z
type: preference
status: active
tags:
  - writing
source: claude-desktop 1.0
created: 2026-10-05T09:12:00Z
updated: 2026-10-05T09:12:00Z
---
Prefers British spelling and short paragraphs in client-facing copy.

type is one of fact, preference, project, decision, note.
status is active or pending.
Memories are a living graph, not a versioned archive. Updating a memory edits the note in place, so links to it keep working. Want history? Keep the vault in git or a sync tool with versions.
One subject, one note: a title is never reused with a number added.
Forgetting a memory moves it to .lil-memory/trash/.
Fields you add yourself in Obsidian are kept.
The search index is a cache in your user cache folder, not in the vault, so syncing the vault is safe. lil-memory doctor shows where it is; lil-memory reindex rebuilds it from the files.

The full format is in SPEC.md. Other tools can implement it without reading the code.

Tools

What the connected AI can use:

Name	What it does
`remember`	Save one memory under a short title, linked to related memories with `[[wikilinks]]`. Also returns up to 3 similar existing memories.
`recall`	Full-text search over active memories, filtered by scope, type or tags.
`get`	Fetch one memory by id, title or path, with the notes it links to and the notes linking to it.
`update`	Rewrite a memory in place with its full new text, for example to extend it. Same file, title and id.
`forget`	Move a memory to the trash.
`list_scopes`	List folders with their number of memories.
`memory://profile`	Resource: all your global preferences, the "who is this user" card.
`load_context`	Prompt: your profile plus a project's note and every note linked to or from it.

CLI

lil-memory init [path]           create a vault (default ~/lil-memory)
lil-memory install <client>      add to claude-desktop, claude-code or codex
lil-memory open                  explore your memories in Obsidian
lil-memory serve                 run the MCP server over stdio
lil-memory serve --http          run at a secret URL on 127.0.0.1 (--port, --rotate)
lil-memory url [--tunnel HOST]   print that secret URL, or the public one behind a tunnel
lil-memory reindex               rebuild the search index from the files
lil-memory doctor                check FTS5, the vault and client installs

Every command takes --vault PATH.

lil memory is MIT licensed.