Engram integration

Engram is first-class memory for nyxterm. Not an optional MCP plugin — a core capability with MCP fallback.

Layers (in order of preference)

1. Embedded Engram library (preferred): linked into the binary, local sqlite store at ~/.local/share/nyxterm/engram.db. Zero subprocess overhead.
2. MCP fallback: when a remote Engram server is configured (engram mcp --tools=agent), use that — useful for shared team memory.
3. Offline mode: no memory persistence. Warns the user once at startup.

Configurable in Settings → Memory.

When to save (PROACTIVE — don't wait to be asked)

Call mem_save immediately after:

• A user decision or stated preference.
• A bug fixed (with root cause).
• A non-obvious discovery about the codebase or environment.
• A convention established.
• A workflow change.
• A user-confirmed recommendation ("dale", "go with that").

Self-check after every task: "Did I learn or decide something non-obvious? If yes → save NOW."

Topic key conventions

Stable, hierarchical, kebab-case:

• nyxterm/architecture — top-level architecture decisions
• nyxterm/pty/sigwinch — specific gotcha
• nyxterm/theme/tokyo-night — palette decisions
• nyxterm/ai/provider-routing — multi-provider config
• nyxterm/multiplex/keybinds — keybind decisions
• nyxterm/nix/flake-structure — packaging

Different topics MUST NOT overwrite each other. Same topic evolving → use same key (upsert via mem_save with same topic_key or mem_update by id).

When unsure of the right key, call mem_suggest_topic_key first.

When to search

• On any "remember", "recall", "what did we decide", "how did we solve" from the user.
• On the user's FIRST message of a session if it references a feature or problem.
• Before claiming "X was decided" or "Y exists" — verify.

Two-step pattern:

1. mem_search(query) → list of candidates with truncated content.
2. mem_get_observation(id) → full untruncated content.

Session close (MANDATORY)

Before saying "done" / "listo" / closing a session, call mem_session_summary:

## Goal
[What this session was working on]

## Discoveries
- [Non-obvious findings]

## Accomplished
- [Completed items with key details]

## Next Steps
- [Pending work for next session]

## Relevant Files
- path/to/file — [what it does or what changed]

Skipping this means the next session starts blind. Don't skip.

What NOT to save

These are derivable from the codebase — don't pollute memory:

• File paths, function signatures, public API.
• Git history, who-changed-what.
• Specific fix recipes (the commit/PR has the context).
• Ephemeral task state (use TaskCreate, not Engram).
• Anything documented in AGENTS.md or skills.

Save only what is non-obvious and would be lost without explicit persistence.

After compaction (if you see a compaction marker)

1. Immediately mem_session_summary with the compacted content — persist what was done before compaction.
2. mem_context to recover prior session context.
3. Only then continue work.

Topic upsert vs new entry

• Same topic, evolving: use same topic_key, content replaces (or appends if you set update flag).
• New facet of an existing topic: new key (e.g., nyxterm/pty/coalescing vs nyxterm/pty/sigwinch).
• Unsure → mem_suggest_topic_key.