context-use — Personal Memory CLI
Install: pip install context-use Requires OpenAI API key. Check: context-use config show. Set: context-use config set-key <key>.
When to Use
Use this skill when the user:
- References past conversations, projects, or events ("remember when…", "we talked about…", "last time…")
- Mentions people, places, or habits from their life
- Asks something where their personal history would improve the answer
- Wants to record something about themselves ("remember that I…")
- Asks about their preferences, routines, or interests
- Wants to import or process a data export (ChatGPT, Claude, Instagram, Google)
- Asks "what do you know about me?" or similar
Do not use when the question is purely technical, general knowledge, or already answered in this session.
Bootstrap (first time)
If context-use memories list --limit 1 returns nothing, the user hasn't ingested data yet.
- Ask them for the path to their ZIP data export (they must download it themselves — see the provider table in Ingest).
- Run the pipeline:
context-use pipeline --quick <provider> <path-to-zip> - Generate a profile so the user can see what you now know about them:
context-use agent profileShare the profile with the user — it builds trust and lets them correct anything wrong early.
Core Rule
Always search memories before responding to anything personal. Weave results naturally — never announce "I found this in your memories."
Commands
Search (primary)
context-use memories search "<query>" --top-k 5
context-use memories search "<query>" --from 2024-01-01 --to 2024-12-31Use when: user references past conversations, projects, people, events; says "remember when…"; topic benefits from personal context. Skip when: purely technical question; general knowledge; already searched this session. If nothing relevant comes back, move on without mentioning it.
Browse
context-use memories list [--limit 20]
context-use memories get <uuid>Create / Update / Archive
context-use memories create --content "..." --from 2024-03-01 --to 2024-03-31
context-use memories update <id> --content "..."
context-use memories archive <id1> <id2> --superseded-by <new-id>Use when: user says "remember that I…"; memory needs correction; memories should merge. Skip when: info is transient or only relevant to current task.
Export
context-use memories export [--format json] [--out path/to/file.md]Agent
context-use agent synthesise # distill pattern memories from events
context-use agent profile # compile first-person user profile
context-use agent ask "..." # free-form memory taskSuggest synthesise after ingesting new data.
Ingest
User must download their own export (ZIP, don't unzip):
| Provider | Export location |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Settings → Data Controls → Export Data |
| Claude | Settings → Account → Export Data |
| Settings → Accounts Center → Download your information (JSON) | |
| takeout.google.com → select products → ZIP |
context-use pipeline --quick <provider> <path-to-zip> # last 30 days
context-use pipeline <provider> <path-to-zip> # full history, batch APIProviders: chatgpt, claude, instagram, google. Verify: context-use memories list --limit 5.
Errors
| Error | Action |
|---|---|
| "OpenAI API key not configured" | Ask user for key → context-use config set-key <key> |
| Rate limits (quick mode) | Drop --quick to use batch API |
| Export not ready | Normal for Instagram/Google — user waits |
context-use not found | pip install context-use |
| No memories found | Guide user through Bootstrap |
| Unknown provider | Must be: chatgpt, claude, instagram, google |
| File not found | Verify path with ls, confirm ZIP location |