---
name: MCP Memory Centrality & Safety
description: Strict guidelines for interacting with the mcp-memory server, ensuring it remains the central brain and is never forcefully shut down.
---

# MCP Memory Centrality & Safety

## 1. Safety & Port Constraints (NEVER SHUT DOWN)
- **CRITICAL**: NEVER attempt to shut down, kill, or send a POST `/shutdown` request to the `mcp-memory` server (typically running on port 3000).
- If a port conflict occurs (e.g., a Rust panic `AddrInUse` during a `git push` gatekeeper check), **STOP** and immediately notify the user. Do not attempt to auto-resolve the conflict by killing the existing memory server process.

## 2. Proactive "Central Brain" Usage
The MCP Memory server is the central brain. You must be PROACTIVE, not reactive, in using it:
- **Session Starts & Context Drops**: Always begin by calling `tasks` (action: "list"), `pinned_files` (action: "list"), and `sticky_notes` (action: "read"). 
- **Sticky Notes**: Use `sticky_notes` (action: "add") for transient, session-scoped operational constraints (e.g., "Do not touch file X until Y is done"). 
- **Error Fixes**: The moment a tricky, undocumented, or environment-specific bug is resolved (e.g., Bitbucket markdown rendering quirks, nuanced framework bugs), IMMEDIATELY call `log_error_fix`. Do not wait for the user to ask.
- **Tech Debt**: If you notice an anti-pattern (e.g., nested `if` statements, arrow anti-pattern) but deliberately skip fixing it to focus on a feature, IMMEDIATELY call `log_tech_debt`.

## 3. Delegation
Continue to use the `MemoryLibrarian` subagent to log routine code changes (`log_code_change`) in the background to prevent cluttering the main conversation context.

## 4. Performance & Batching Rules
- **Batch Mutating Operations**: When creating or updating multiple graph entities, code snippets, or observations, always batch items into a single tool call array (e.g. `create_entities` with multiple items) to leverage the server's single-pass transaction flush.
- **High-Signal Tool Confirmations**: Tool call execution responses return structured, informative summaries (entity names, types, created counts, and edge paths). Agents DO NOT need to invoke follow-up `open_nodes` calls purely to confirm successful creation.
- **Tantivy Search Reader Refresh**: Search queries (`omni_search`, `search_nodes`) automatically reload pending commits prior to executing searches, ensuring immediate visibility of newly created items.

## 5. Pure Native Rust Invariants & Subprocess Prohibitions
- **Zero External Subprocesses**: Native system handlers (`clipboard`, `ast`, `search`, `db`) MUST use pure native Rust crates (`arboard`, `tree-sitter`, `tantivy`, `psycopg`). Subprocess calls to `powershell.exe`, `wl-paste`, `xclip`, or `cmd.exe` are strictly banned in native handlers.
- **Transient Lock Handling**: Transient OS handle collisions (e.g. Win32 OLE `OpenClipboard` locks) must be handled natively with retry loops and backoffs in Rust.