# memory-research

Researches companies, people, and tools across the web and synthesizes findings into Basic Memory notes. Useful when you need to record structured facts about an external subject.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1200 installs · ★ 4357
- Author: basicmachines-co
- License: AGPL-3.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory/tree/HEAD/skills/memory-research/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/memory-research

## What it does

This skill gathers information from external sources and turns it into structured notes. It first runs `bm_search` across your existing knowledge base to prevent duplicates. If an entry already exists, the agent suggests appending new observations with `bm_edit`. For new subjects, it generates a structured summary for an organization, person, technology, or topic.

Basic Memory does not include a built-in search tool. The host environment needs web search access or an external search MCP server. Because search queries travel to a third-party search provider, keeping private notes out of search queries is essential.

No note gets saved without your approval. The agent presents a structured summary with dated observations and asks for confirmation before triggering `bm_write`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

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

### Codex

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

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

### Cursor

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

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

### GitHub Copilot

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

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

### Gemini CLI

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

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

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add basicmachines-co/basic-memory --skill memory-research -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/tree/HEAD/skills/memory-research/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- gather details on companies, people, or tools from public sources
- update existing Basic Memory entries with recent observations
- capture user context and meeting notes inside a knowledge graph
- draft structured entity summaries before saving them to disk

## Example prompts
- Research Acme Corp and save the findings to Basic Memory
- Look up Jane Smith and prepare a structured person note
- Research this open source library and check if we already have a note for it

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From the same set: [basicmachines-co/basic-memory](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/basicmachines-co/basic-memory.md) — 14 cards

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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