# distill-memory

Instructs the agent to capture decisions, debug learnings, and workflows into an nmem knowledge base without waiting for prompts.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 733 installs · ★ 196
- Author: nowledge-co
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/nowledge-co/community/tree/HEAD/nowledge-mem-agent-plugin/skills/distill-memory/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-25
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/distill-memory

## What it does

This skill directs the agent to capture durable knowledge during a session. Instead of waiting for a manual save request, the model detects architectural choices, root cause discoveries, or reusable steps. Routine conversation, transient progress, and standard docs lookups get ignored.

The process relies on the `nmem` CLI. New entries are created with `nmem --json m add`, while refinements to existing notes use `nmem m update <id>`. Entries receive structured metadata, including units like `decision`, `learning`, or `procedure`, along with an importance score from 0.3 to 1.0.

If the `nmem` CLI tool or a native Nowledge Mem connector is missing in your environment, execution will break. Ensure the command-line utility is accessible before triggering saves.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install nowledge-co/community distill-memory
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/nowledge-co/community --path nowledge-mem-agent-plugin/skills/distill-memory
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory -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/nowledge-co/community/tree/HEAD/nowledge-mem-agent-plugin/skills/distill-memory/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- record technical decisions along with their rationale
- capture debugging takeaways and incident root causes
- document repeatable procedures and development rules
- update existing knowledge entries rather than creating duplicates

## Example prompts
- Save our decision to migrate to PostgreSQL due to ACID requirements
- Record the root cause of this memory leak as a lesson for future sessions
- Update the deployment procedure with the new migration check

## Similar
- [memory-bridge](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-bridge.md) — skill · 2400 installs
- [para-memory-files](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/para-memory-files.md) — skill · 1800 installs
- [memory-capture](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-capture.md) — skill · 1300 installs
- [memory-defrag](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-defrag.md) — skill · 1200 installs
- [memory-intake](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-intake.md) — skill · 766 installs
- [groove-utilities-memory-log-daily](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/groove-utilities-memory-log-daily.md) — skill · 581 installs

From the same set: [nowledge-co/community](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/nowledge-co/community.md) — 2 cards

---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md