mem0 auto-tags every memory with one or more `categories` from a
project-level list. The default list is consumer-oriented (food,
hobbies, music, ...), which produces meaningless tags for code
workflows.
Per-request `custom_categories` is not supported on the managed API,
so the fix has to be a one-time project-level configuration. New
script `setup_coding_categories.py` does this:
- Dry-run by default: prints current vs proposed taxonomy, exits.
- `--apply` flag actually calls `project.update(custom_categories=...)`.
- Falls back gracefully when mem0ai SDK isn't installed or
MEM0_API_KEY is missing/invalid (friendly error, no stack trace).
Recommended taxonomy:
architecture_decisions, anti_patterns, task_learnings,
tooling_setup, bug_fixes, coding_conventions, user_preferences
Skill clarification: `metadata.type` (agent-applied explicit tag,
used in filters) and `categories` (platform-applied auto-tag, used
in dashboards) are complementary; agent should keep using
`metadata.type` and not try to set `categories` per-request.
README: section under Step 2 explaining how to run the script.
6.6 KiB
name, description
| name | description |
|---|---|
| mem0-mcp | Mem0 memory protocol for agents using the mem0 MCP tools (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and any other MCP-aware runtime). Decide deliberately when memory context would help, run targeted searches with metadata filters when it would, and store key learnings as work completes. Use the mem0 MCP tools (add_memory, search_memories, get_memories, etc.) for all memory operations. |
Mem0 MCP Memory Protocol
You have access to persistent memory via the mem0 MCP tools. Follow this protocol to maintain context across sessions.
On every new task
Decide whether persistent memory context would improve your response, then act accordingly. Don't search by default — search deliberately.
Decide: search or skip?
Search WHEN the user:
- references past work, decisions, or things "we" built
- asks "how should we...", "best way to...", or any decision-style question
- hits an error, bug, or asks for debugging help
- requests work that touches their stack, tools, conventions, or preferences
- starts a non-trivial task in a known project
Skip WHEN:
- the prompt is an acknowledgement or continuation ("ok", "thanks", "continue")
- the user is stating new info — that's a write trigger (
add_memory), not a search - it's a pure syntax / factual question answerable from general knowledge
- you already searched this scope earlier in the turn
Empty results are normal. Proceed without context — they don't mean the system is broken.
How to search well
When you do search, run 2–4 parallel search_memories calls at different angles instead of one query echoing the user's prompt.
Query phrasing:
- Use nouns, not sentences.
"auth module decisions"beats"what did we decide about auth". - Strip conversational filler. "remember when we picked Postgres?" → search
"Postgres choice". - Use entity names, not pronouns. Resolve "that thing" from recent context first.
- Don't search on meta-questions ("what was that?") — use recent context or
get_memoriesordered bycreated_at.
Metadata filters match the same type values written under "After completing significant work" below.
Two rules from the v2 filter spec:
- The root must be a logical operator (
AND/OR/NOT) with an array. A bare{"user_id": "..."}won't work. - Metadata uses a nested object, not a dotted key.
{"metadata": {"type": "decision"}}, never{"metadata.type": "decision"}. Only top-level metadata keys are filterable.
Combine user_id with one metadata clause per call:
metadata.type clause |
Use for |
|---|---|
{"metadata": {"type": "decision"}} |
design / architecture / "how should we" questions |
{"metadata": {"type": "anti_pattern"}} |
debugging, error handling, things that failed before |
{"metadata": {"type": "user_preference"}} |
tooling, stack, style — always include for code work |
{"metadata": {"type": "convention"}} |
established patterns in this project |
Full filter (replace <your_user_id> with the active user_id from your runtime):
filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "<your_user_id>"}, {"metadata": {"type": "decision"}}]}
Worked example
User asks: "Refactor the auth module to use JWT."
Don't:
search_memories(query="Refactor the auth module to use JWT")
# Hits whatever shares words. Misses prior decisions and preferences.
Do (parallel — substitute the active user_id for <your_user_id>):
search_memories(query="auth module decisions",
filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "<your_user_id>"}, {"metadata": {"type": "decision"}}]})
search_memories(query="JWT",
filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "<your_user_id>"}]})
search_memories(query="auth refactor failures",
filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "<your_user_id>"}, {"metadata": {"type": "anti_pattern"}}]})
search_memories(query="auth",
filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "<your_user_id>"}, {"metadata": {"type": "user_preference"}}]})
After completing significant work
Extract key learnings and store them using the add_memory tool:
- Decisions made -> Include metadata
{"type": "decision"} - Strategies that worked -> Include metadata
{"type": "task_learning"} - Failed approaches -> Include metadata
{"type": "anti_pattern"} - User preferences observed -> Include metadata
{"type": "user_preference"} - Environment/setup discoveries -> Include metadata
{"type": "environmental"} - Conventions established -> Include metadata
{"type": "convention"}
metadata.type(which you set explicitly) andcategories(which the platform auto-tags after the project's custom-category list — seescripts/setup_coding_categories.py) are complementary. Always setmetadata.typefor explicit filtering; the platform fills incategorieson its own. Don't try to setcategoriesonadd_memorycalls — per-request overrides aren't supported on the managed API.
Memories can be as detailed as needed -- include full context, reasoning, code snippets, file paths, and examples. Longer, searchable memories are more valuable than vague one-liners.
Use infer=False for already-structured content
When you've done the extraction work yourself — pre-compaction summaries, decisions, anti-patterns, conventions you've explicitly identified — pass infer=False so the platform stores your text verbatim instead of running a second extraction pass over it.
add_memory(
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "<your structured fact>"}],
user_id="<active user_id>",
metadata={"type": "decision"},
infer=False,
)
Stick to one mode per distinct piece of content — don't mix infer=True (default) and infer=False for the same fact, you'll get duplicates. Default (infer=True) is right for raw conversational signal you want extracted; infer=False is right for pre-extracted structure.
Before losing context
If context is about to be compacted or the session is ending, store a comprehensive session summary:
## Session Summary
### User's Goal
[What the user originally asked for]
### What Was Accomplished
[Numbered list of tasks completed]
### Key Decisions Made
[Architectural choices, trade-offs discussed]
### Files Created or Modified
[Important file paths with what changed]
### Current State
[What is in progress, pending items, next steps]
Include metadata: {"type": "session_state"}
Memory hygiene
- Do NOT write to MEMORY.md or any file-based memory. Use mem0 MCP tools exclusively.
- Only store genuinely useful learnings. Skip trivial interactions.
- Use specific, searchable language in memory content.