memory-lifecycle · basicmachines-co — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install

What memory-lifecycle does

The skill handles status changes for entities in Basic Memory when you mark work as finished, cancelled, or reopened. Its core approach relies on archiving rather than deleting. Deleting a note via bm_delete destroys observations and turns incoming references into broken links. Instead, the workflow locates the target file with bm_search and moves it to the appropriate folder using bm_move.

Once relocated, the note receives updated frontmatter fields via bm_edit using the set_metadata command. The main body text stays untouched. If a file contains locked: true in its frontmatter, it moves to the destination path, but metadata edits are refused. You must unlock such files manually. Permalinks survive directory changes by default unless the project sets update_permalinks_on_move.