# memory-lifecycle

A Basic Memory skill that moves notes between status folders, updates frontmatter, and archives instead of deleting.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 546 installs · ★ 23
- Author: basicmachines-co
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills/tree/HEAD/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-04-20
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/basicmachines-co-memory-lifecycle

## What it does

This skill handles status transitions for entities in Basic Memory. Say that something is done, cancelled or on hold, and it locates the note, moves the file into a folder like `archive/` or `completed/`, then updates the status field in frontmatter. The order matters: `move_note` runs first, `edit_note` second. If the edit fails, the file is already in the right place.

Archive, never delete — that is the rule the skill follows. Deleting a note drops it from the knowledge graph along with its observations and relations, so the skill reserves deletion for typos and real duplicates. Permalinks survive a move, which means `[[wiki-links]]` and `memory://` URLs keep resolving. Reverting a mistaken archive is the same move in reverse.

Some status changes need no move at all. Paused or blocked items stay in `active/` with only a frontmatter edit. When several notes match a request, or the target folder is unclear, the skill asks instead of guessing. Folder names come from your own structure, so a clear status scheme pays off before you start.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills --skill memory-lifecycle -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/memory-lifecycle/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills --skill memory-lifecycle -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills --skill memory-lifecycle -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills memory-lifecycle
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills --skill memory-lifecycle -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills --path memory-lifecycle
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills --skill memory-lifecycle -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills/tree/HEAD/memory-lifecycle/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- move a finished task into `completed/` without breaking its links
- bring back a note that was archived by mistake
- sync the frontmatter status after relocating a file
- clean up stale active notes that are no longer relevant
- tell a partially finished item apart from a closed one

## Example prompts
- The quarterly report is done, archive it
- I closed the migration task by accident — move it back to active
- Go through my active notes and tell me what should be archived

## Similar
- [memory-curate](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-curate.md) — skill · 1300 installs
- [memory-notes](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-notes.md) — skill · 1300 installs
- [para-memory-files](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/para-memory-files.md) — skill · 1800 installs
- [memory-intake](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-intake.md) — skill · 766 installs
- [memory-systems](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-systems.md) — skill · 393 installs
- [mempalace-recall](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/mempalace-recall.md) — skill · 1400 installs

## Other versions with the same name
- [memory-lifecycle · basicmachines-co](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-lifecycle.md) — 1200 installs

From the same set: [basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/basicmachines-co/basic-memory-skills.md) — 4 cards

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