Alex Newman
417acb0f81
* Add enforceable anti-pattern detection for try-catch abuse PROBLEM: - Overly-broad try-catch blocks waste 10+ hours of debugging time - Empty catch blocks silently swallow errors - AI assistants use try-catch to paper over uncertainty instead of doing research SOLUTION: 1. Created detect-error-handling-antipatterns.ts test - Detects empty catch blocks (45 CRITICAL found) - Detects catch without logging (45 CRITICAL total) - Detects large try blocks (>10 lines) - Detects generic catch without type checking - Detects catch-and-continue on critical paths - Exit code 1 if critical issues found 2. Updated CLAUDE.md with MANDATORY ERROR HANDLING RULES - 5-question pre-flight checklist before any try-catch - FORBIDDEN patterns with examples - ALLOWED patterns with examples - Meta-rule: UNCERTAINTY TRIGGERS RESEARCH, NOT TRY-CATCH - Critical path protection list 3. Created comprehensive try-catch audit report - Documents all 96 try-catch blocks in worker service - Identifies critical issue at worker-service.ts:748-750 - Categorizes patterns and provides recommendations This is enforceable via test, not just instructions that can be ignored. Current state: 163 anti-patterns detected (45 critical, 47 high, 71 medium) Next: Fix critical issues identified by test 🤖 Generated with Claude Code Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * fix: add logging to 5 critical empty catch blocks (Wave 1) Wave 1 of error handling cleanup - fixing empty catch blocks that silently swallow errors without any trace. Fixed files: - src/bin/import-xml-observations.ts:80 - Log skipped invalid JSON - src/utils/bun-path.ts:33 - Log when bun not in PATH - src/utils/cursor-utils.ts:44 - Log failed registry reads - src/utils/cursor-utils.ts:149 - Log corrupt MCP config - src/shared/worker-utils.ts:128 - Log failed health checks All catch blocks now have proper logging with context and error details. Progress: 41 → 39 CRITICAL issues remaining 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * fix: add logging to promise catches on critical paths (Wave 2) Wave 2 of error handling cleanup - fixing empty promise catch handlers that silently swallow errors on critical code paths. These are the patterns that caused the 10-hour debugging session. Fixed empty promise catches: - worker-service.ts:642 - Background initialization failures - SDKAgent.ts:372,446 - Session processor errors - GeminiAgent.ts:408,475 - Finalization failures - OpenRouterAgent.ts:451,518 - Finalization failures - SessionManager.ts:289 - Generator promise failures Added justification comments to catch-and-continue blocks: - worker-service.ts:68 - PID file removal (cleanup, non-critical) - worker-service.ts:130 - Cursor context update (non-critical) All promise rejection handlers now log errors with context, preventing silent failures that were nearly impossible to debug. Note: The anti-pattern detector only tracks try-catch blocks, not standalone promise chains. These fixes address the root cause of the original 10-hour debugging session even though the detector count remains unchanged. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * fix: add logging and documentation to error handling patterns (Wave 3) Wave 3 of error handling cleanup - comprehensive review and fixes for remaining critical issues identified by the anti-pattern detector. Changes organized by severity: **Wave 3.1: Fixed 2 EMPTY_CATCH blocks** - worker-service.ts:162 - Health check polling now logs failures - worker-service.ts:610 - Process cleanup logs failures **Wave 3.2: Reviewed 12 CATCH_AND_CONTINUE patterns** - Verified all are correct (log errors AND exit/return HTTP errors) - Added justification comment to session recovery (line 829) - All patterns properly notify callers of failures **Wave 3.3: Fixed 29 NO_LOGGING_IN_CATCH issues** Added logging to 16 catch blocks: - UI layer: useSettings.ts, useContextPreview.ts (console logging) - Servers: mcp-server.ts health checks and tool execution - Worker: version fetch, cleanup, config corruption - Routes: error handler, session recovery, settings validation - Services: branch checkout, timeline queries Documented 13 intentional exceptions with comments explaining why: - Hot paths (port checks, process checks in tight loops) - Error accumulation (transcript parser collects for batch retrieval) - Special cases (logger can't log its own failures) - Fallback parsing (JSON parse in optional data structures) All changes follow error handling guidelines from CLAUDE.md: - Appropriate log levels (error/warn/debug) - Context objects with relevant details - Descriptive messages explaining failures - Error extraction pattern for Error instances Progress: 41 → 29 detector warnings Remaining warnings are conservative flags on verified-correct patterns (catch-and-continue blocks that properly log + notify callers). Build verified successful. All error handling now provides visibility for debugging while avoiding excessive logging on hot paths. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * feat: add queue:clear command to remove failed messages Added functionality to clear failed messages from the observation queue: **Changes:** - PendingMessageStore: Added clearFailed() method to delete failed messages - DataRoutes: Added DELETE /api/pending-queue/failed endpoint - CLI: Created scripts/clear-failed-queue.ts for interactive queue clearing - package.json: Added npm run queue:clear script **Usage:** npm run queue:clear # Interactive - prompts for confirmation npm run queue:clear -- --force # Non-interactive - clears without prompt Failed messages are observations that exceeded max retry count. They remain in the queue for debugging but won't be processed. This command removes them to clean up the queue. Works alongside existing queue:check and queue:process commands to provide complete queue management capabilities. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * feat: add --all flag to queue:clear for complete queue reset Extended queue clearing functionality to support clearing all messages, not just failed ones. **Changes:** - PendingMessageStore: Added clearAll() method to clear pending, processing, and failed - DataRoutes: Added DELETE /api/pending-queue/all endpoint - clear-failed-queue.ts: Added --all flag to clear everything - Updated help text and UI to distinguish between failed-only and all-clear modes **Usage:** npm run queue:clear # Clear failed only (interactive) npm run queue:clear -- --all # Clear ALL messages (interactive) npm run queue:clear -- --all --force # Clear all without confirmation The --all flag provides a complete queue reset, removing pending, processing, and failed messages. Useful when you want a fresh start or need to cancel stuck sessions. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * feat: add comprehensive documentation for session ID architecture and validation tests * feat: add logs viewer with clear functionality to UI - Add LogsRoutes API endpoint for fetching and clearing worker logs - Create LogsModal component with auto-refresh and clear button - Integrate logs viewer button into Header component - Add comprehensive CSS styling for logs modal - Logs accessible via new document icon button in header Logs viewer features: - Display last 1000 lines of current day's log file - Auto-refresh toggle (2s interval) - Clear logs button with confirmation - Monospace font for readable log output - Responsive modal design matching existing UI 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * refactor: redesign logs as Chrome DevTools-style console drawer Major UX improvements to match Chrome DevTools console: - Convert from modal to bottom drawer that slides up - Move toggle button to bottom-left corner (floating button) - Add draggable resize handle for height adjustment - Use plain monospace font (SF Mono/Monaco/Consolas) instead of Monaspace - Simplify controls with icon-only buttons - Add Console tab UI matching DevTools aesthetic Changes: - Renamed LogsModal to LogsDrawer with drawer implementation - Added resize functionality with mouse drag - Removed logs button from header - Added floating console toggle button in bottom-left - Updated all CSS to match Chrome console styling - Minimum height: 150px, maximum: window height - 100px 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * fix: suppress /api/logs endpoint logging to reduce noise Skip logging GET /api/logs requests in HTTP middleware to prevent log spam from auto-refresh polling (every 2s). Keeps the auto-refresh feature functional while eliminating the repetitive log entries. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com> * refactor: enhance error handling guidelines with approved overrides for justified exceptions --------- Co-authored-by: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
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Persistent memory compression system built for Claude Code.
Quick Start • How It Works • Search Tools • Documentation • Configuration • Troubleshooting • License
Claude-Mem seamlessly preserves context across sessions by automatically capturing tool usage observations, generating semantic summaries, and making them available to future sessions. This enables Claude to maintain continuity of knowledge about projects even after sessions end or reconnect.
Quick Start
Start a new Claude Code session in the terminal and enter the following commands:
> /plugin marketplace add thedotmack/claude-mem
> /plugin install claude-mem
Restart Claude Code. Context from previous sessions will automatically appear in new sessions.
Key Features:
- 🧠 Persistent Memory - Context survives across sessions
- 📊 Progressive Disclosure - Layered memory retrieval with token cost visibility
- 🔍 Skill-Based Search - Query your project history with mem-search skill
- 🖥️ Web Viewer UI - Real-time memory stream at http://localhost:37777
- 💻 Claude Desktop Skill - Search memory from Claude Desktop conversations
- 🔒 Privacy Control - Use
<private>tags to exclude sensitive content from storage - ⚙️ Context Configuration - Fine-grained control over what context gets injected
- 🤖 Automatic Operation - No manual intervention required
- 🔗 Citations - Reference past observations with IDs (access via http://localhost:37777/api/observation/{id} or view all in the web viewer at http://localhost:37777)
- 🧪 Beta Channel - Try experimental features like Endless Mode via version switching
Documentation
📚 View Full Documentation - Browse markdown docs on GitHub
Getting Started
- Installation Guide - Quick start & advanced installation
- Usage Guide - How Claude-Mem works automatically
- Search Tools - Query your project history with natural language
- Beta Features - Try experimental features like Endless Mode
Best Practices
- Context Engineering - AI agent context optimization principles
- Progressive Disclosure - Philosophy behind Claude-Mem's context priming strategy
Architecture
- Overview - System components & data flow
- Architecture Evolution - The journey from v3 to v5
- Hooks Architecture - How Claude-Mem uses lifecycle hooks
- Hooks Reference - 7 hook scripts explained
- Worker Service - HTTP API & Bun management
- Database - SQLite schema & FTS5 search
- Search Architecture - Hybrid search with Chroma vector database
Configuration & Development
- Configuration - Environment variables & settings
- Development - Building, testing, contributing
- Troubleshooting - Common issues & solutions
How It Works
Core Components:
- 5 Lifecycle Hooks - SessionStart, UserPromptSubmit, PostToolUse, Stop, SessionEnd (6 hook scripts)
- Smart Install - Cached dependency checker (pre-hook script, not a lifecycle hook)
- Worker Service - HTTP API on port 37777 with web viewer UI and 10 search endpoints, managed by Bun
- SQLite Database - Stores sessions, observations, summaries
- mem-search Skill - Natural language queries with progressive disclosure
- Chroma Vector Database - Hybrid semantic + keyword search for intelligent context retrieval
See Architecture Overview for details.
MCP Search Tools
Claude-Mem provides intelligent memory search through 4 MCP tools following a token-efficient 3-layer workflow pattern:
The 3-Layer Workflow:
search- Get compact index with IDs (~50-100 tokens/result)timeline- Get chronological context around interesting resultsget_observations- Fetch full details ONLY for filtered IDs (~500-1,000 tokens/result)
How It Works:
- Claude uses MCP tools to search your memory
- Start with
searchto get an index of results - Use
timelineto see what was happening around specific observations - Use
get_observationsto fetch full details for relevant IDs - ~10x token savings by filtering before fetching details
Available MCP Tools:
search- Search memory index with full-text queries, filters by type/date/projecttimeline- Get chronological context around a specific observation or queryget_observations- Fetch full observation details by IDs (always batch multiple IDs)__IMPORTANT- Workflow documentation (always visible to Claude)
Example Usage:
// Step 1: Search for index
search(query="authentication bug", type="bugfix", limit=10)
// Step 2: Review index, identify relevant IDs (e.g., #123, #456)
// Step 3: Fetch full details
get_observations(ids=[123, 456])
See Search Tools Guide for detailed examples.
Beta Features
Claude-Mem offers a beta channel with experimental features like Endless Mode (biomimetic memory architecture for extended sessions). Switch between stable and beta versions from the web viewer UI at http://localhost:37777 → Settings.
See Beta Features Documentation for details on Endless Mode and how to try it.
System Requirements
- Node.js: 18.0.0 or higher
- Claude Code: Latest version with plugin support
- Bun: JavaScript runtime and process manager (auto-installed if missing)
- uv: Python package manager for vector search (auto-installed if missing)
- SQLite 3: For persistent storage (bundled)
Configuration
Settings are managed in ~/.claude-mem/settings.json (auto-created with defaults on first run). Configure AI model, worker port, data directory, log level, and context injection settings.
See the Configuration Guide for all available settings and examples.
Development
See the Development Guide for build instructions, testing, and contribution workflow.
Troubleshooting
If experiencing issues, describe the problem to Claude and the troubleshoot skill will automatically diagnose and provide fixes.
See the Troubleshooting Guide for common issues and solutions.
Bug Reports
Create comprehensive bug reports with the automated generator:
cd ~/.claude/plugins/marketplaces/thedotmack
npm run bug-report
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please:
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch
- Make your changes with tests
- Update documentation
- Submit a Pull Request
See Development Guide for contribution workflow.
License
This project is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0).
Copyright (C) 2025 Alex Newman (@thedotmack). All rights reserved.
See the LICENSE file for full details.
What This Means:
- You can use, modify, and distribute this software freely
- If you modify and deploy on a network server, you must make your source code available
- Derivative works must also be licensed under AGPL-3.0
- There is NO WARRANTY for this software
Note on Ragtime: The ragtime/ directory is licensed separately under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. See ragtime/LICENSE for details.
Support
- Documentation: docs/
- Issues: GitHub Issues
- Repository: github.com/thedotmack/claude-mem
- Author: Alex Newman (@thedotmack)
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