claude-mem/docs/public/configuration.mdx

---
title: "Configuration"
description: "Environment variables and settings for Claude-Mem"
---

# Configuration

## Settings File

Settings are managed in `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`. The file is auto-created with defaults on first run.

### Core Settings

| Setting                       | Default                         | Description                           |
|-------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| `CLAUDE_MEM_MODEL`            | `sonnet`                        | AI model for processing observations  |
| `CLAUDE_MEM_MODE`             | `code`                          | Active mode profile (e.g., `code--es`, `email-investigation`) |
| `CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_OBSERVATIONS` | `50`                        | Number of observations to inject      |
| `CLAUDE_MEM_WORKER_PORT`      | `37777`                         | Worker service port                   |
| `CLAUDE_MEM_SKIP_TOOLS`       | `ListMcpResourcesTool,SlashCommand,Skill,TodoWrite,AskUserQuestion` | Comma-separated tools to exclude from observations |

### System Configuration

| Setting                       | Default                         | Description                           |
|-------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| `CLAUDE_MEM_DATA_DIR`         | `~/.claude-mem`                 | Data directory location               |
| `CLAUDE_MEM_LOG_LEVEL`        | `INFO`                          | Log verbosity (DEBUG, INFO, WARN, ERROR, SILENT) |
| `CLAUDE_MEM_PYTHON_VERSION`   | `3.13`                          | Python version for chroma-mcp         |
| `CLAUDE_CODE_PATH`            | _(auto-detect)_                 | Path to Claude Code CLI (for Windows) |

## Model Configuration

Configure which AI model processes your observations.

### Available Models

Shorthand model names automatically forward to the latest version:

- `haiku` - Fast, cost-efficient
- `sonnet` - Balanced (default)
- `opus` - Most capable

### Using the Interactive Script

```bash
./claude-mem-settings.sh
```

This script manages settings in `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`.

### Manual Configuration

Edit `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`:

```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODEL": "sonnet"
}
```

## Mode Configuration

Configure the active workflow mode and language.

### Settings

| Setting | Default | Description |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| `CLAUDE_MEM_MODE` | `code` | Defines behavior and language. See [Modes & Languages](modes). |

### Examples

**Spanish Code Mode:**
```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "code--es"
}
```

**Email Investigation Mode:**
```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "email-investigation"
}
```

## Files and Directories

### Data Directory Structure

The data directory location depends on the environment:
- **Production (installed plugin)**: `~/.claude-mem/` (always, regardless of CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT)
- **Development**: Can be overridden with `CLAUDE_MEM_DATA_DIR`

```
~/.claude-mem/
├── claude-mem.db           # SQLite database
├── .install-version        # Cached version for smart installer
├── worker.port             # Current worker port file
└── logs/
    ├── worker-out.log      # Worker stdout logs
    └── worker-error.log    # Worker stderr logs
```

### Plugin Directory Structure

```
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/
├── .claude-plugin/
│   └── plugin.json         # Plugin metadata
├── .mcp.json               # MCP server configuration
├── hooks/
│   └── hooks.json          # Hook configuration
├── scripts/                # Built executables
│   ├── smart-install.js    # Smart installer script
│   ├── context-hook.js     # Context injection hook
│   ├── new-hook.js         # Session creation hook
│   ├── save-hook.js        # Observation capture hook
│   ├── summary-hook.js     # Summary generation hook
│   ├── cleanup-hook.js     # Session cleanup hook
│   ├── worker-service.cjs  # Worker service (CJS)
│   └── mcp-server.cjs      # MCP search server (CJS)
└── ui/
    └── viewer.html         # Web viewer UI bundle
```

## Plugin Configuration

### Hooks Configuration

Hooks are configured in `plugin/hooks/hooks.json`:

```json
{
  "description": "Claude-mem memory system hooks",
  "hooks": {
    "SessionStart": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/smart-install.js && node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/context-hook.js",
        "timeout": 120
      }]
    }],
    "UserPromptSubmit": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/new-hook.js",
        "timeout": 120
      }]
    }],
    "PostToolUse": [{
      "matcher": "*",
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/save-hook.js",
        "timeout": 120
      }]
    }],
    "Stop": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/summary-hook.js",
        "timeout": 120
      }]
    }],
    "SessionEnd": [{
      "hooks": [{
        "type": "command",
        "command": "node ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/cleanup-hook.js",
        "timeout": 120
      }]
    }]
  }
}
```

### Search Configuration (v5.4.0+)

**Migration Note**: As of v5.4.0, Claude-Mem uses skill-based search instead of MCP tools. As of v5.5.0, the skill was renamed to "mem-search" for better scope differentiation.

**Previous (v5.3.x and earlier)**: MCP search server with 9 tools (~2,500 tokens per session)
**Current (v5.4.0+)**: mem-search skill with HTTP API (~250 tokens per session)

**No configuration required** - the mem-search skill is automatically available in Claude Code sessions.

Search operations are now provided via:
- **Skill**: `plugin/skills/mem-search/SKILL.md` (auto-invoked when users ask about past work)
- **HTTP API**: 10 endpoints on worker service port 37777
- **Progressive Disclosure**: Full instructions loaded on-demand only when needed

## Version Channel

Claude-Mem supports switching between stable and beta versions via the web viewer UI.

### Accessing Version Channel

1. Open the viewer at http://localhost:37777
2. Click the Settings gear icon
3. Find the **Version Channel** section

### Switching Versions

- **Try Beta**: Click "Try Beta (Endless Mode)" to switch to the beta branch with experimental features
- **Switch to Stable**: Click "Switch to Stable" to return to the production release
- **Check for Updates**: Pull the latest changes for your current branch

**Your memory data is preserved** when switching versions. Only the plugin code changes.

<Note>
Endless Mode is experimental and slower than standard mode. See [Beta Features](beta-features) for full details and important limitations.
</Note>

## Worker Service Management

Worker service is managed by Bun as a background process. The worker auto-starts on first session and runs continuously in the background.

## Context Injection Configuration

Claude-Mem injects past observations into each new session, giving Claude awareness of recent work. You can configure exactly what gets injected using the **Context Settings Modal**.

### Context Settings Modal

Access the settings modal from the web viewer at http://localhost:37777:

1. Click the **gear icon** in the header
2. Adjust settings in the right panel
3. See changes reflected live in the **Terminal Preview** on the left
4. Settings auto-save as you change them

The Terminal Preview shows exactly what will be injected at the start of your next Claude Code session for the selected project.

### Loading Settings

Control how many observations are injected:

| Setting | Default | Range | Description |
|---------|---------|-------|-------------|
| **Observations** | 50 | 1-200 | Total number of recent observations to include |
| **Sessions** | 10 | 1-50 | Number of recent sessions to pull observations from |

**Considerations**:
- **Higher values** = More context but slower SessionStart and more tokens used
- **Lower values** = Faster SessionStart but less historical awareness
- Default of 50 observations from 10 sessions balances context richness with performance

### Filter Settings

Control which observation types and concepts are included:

**Types** (select any combination):
- `bugfix` - Bug fixes and error resolutions
- `feature` - New functionality additions
- `refactor` - Code restructuring
- `discovery` - Learnings about how code works
- `decision` - Architectural or design decisions
- `change` - General code changes

**Concepts** (select any combination):
- `how-it-works` - System behavior explanations
- `why-it-exists` - Rationale for code/design
- `what-changed` - Change summaries
- `problem-solution` - Problem/solution pairs
- `gotcha` - Edge cases and pitfalls
- `pattern` - Recurring patterns
- `trade-off` - Design trade-offs

Use "All" or "None" buttons to quickly select/deselect all options.

### Display Settings

Control how observations appear in the context:

**Full Observations**:
| Setting | Default | Options | Description |
|---------|---------|---------|-------------|
| **Count** | 5 | 0-20 | How many observations show expanded details |
| **Field** | narrative | narrative, facts | Which field to expand |

The most recent N observations (set by Count) show their full narrative or facts. Remaining observations show only title, type, and token counts in a compact table format.

**Token Economics** (toggles):
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| **Read cost** | true | Show tokens to read each observation |
| **Work investment** | true | Show tokens spent creating the observation |
| **Savings** | true | Show total tokens saved by reusing context |

Token economics help you understand the value of cached observations vs. re-reading files.

### Advanced Settings

| Setting | Default | Description |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| **Model** | sonnet | AI model for generating observations |
| **Worker Port** | 37777 | Port for background worker service |
| **MCP search server** | true | Enable Model Context Protocol search tools |
| **Include last summary** | false | Add previous session's summary to context |
| **Include last message** | false | Add previous session's final message |

### Manual Configuration

Settings are stored in `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`:

```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_OBSERVATIONS": "100",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_SESSION_COUNT": "20",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_OBSERVATION_TYPES": "bugfix,decision,discovery",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_OBSERVATION_CONCEPTS": "how-it-works,gotcha",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_FULL_COUNT": "10",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_FULL_FIELD": "narrative",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_SHOW_READ_TOKENS": "true",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_SHOW_WORK_TOKENS": "true",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_SHOW_SAVINGS_AMOUNT": "true",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_SHOW_LAST_SUMMARY": "false",
  "CLAUDE_MEM_CONTEXT_SHOW_LAST_MESSAGE": "false"
}
```

**Note**: The Context Settings Modal (at http://localhost:37777) is the recommended way to configure these settings, as it provides live preview of changes.

## Customization

Settings can be customized in `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`.

### Custom Data Directory

Edit `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`:
```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_DATA_DIR": "/custom/path"
}
```

### Custom Worker Port

Edit `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`:
```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_WORKER_PORT": "38000"
}
```

Then restart the worker:
```bash
claude-mem restart
```

### Custom Model

Edit `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`:
```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODEL": "opus"
}
```

Then restart the worker:
```bash
export CLAUDE_MEM_MODEL=opus
claude-mem restart
```

### Custom Skip Tools

Control which tools are excluded from observations. Edit `~/.claude-mem/settings.json`:
```json
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_SKIP_TOOLS": "ListMcpResourcesTool,SlashCommand,Skill"
}
```

**Default excluded tools:**
- `ListMcpResourcesTool`
- `SlashCommand`
- `Skill`
- `TodoWrite`
- `AskUserQuestion`

**Common customizations:**
- Include TodoWrite: Remove from skip list to track task planning
- Include AskUserQuestion: Remove to capture decision-making conversations
- Skip additional tools: Add tool names to reduce observation noise

Changes take effect on the next tool execution (no worker restart needed).

## Advanced Configuration

### Hook Timeouts

Modify timeouts in `plugin/hooks/hooks.json`:

```json
{
  "timeout": 120  // Default: 120 seconds
}
```

Recommended values:
- SessionStart: 120s (needs time for smart install check and context retrieval)
- UserPromptSubmit: 60s
- PostToolUse: 120s (can process many observations)
- Stop: 60s
- SessionEnd: 60s

**Note**: With smart install caching (v5.0.3+), SessionStart is typically very fast (10ms) unless dependencies need installation.

### Worker Memory Limit

The worker service is managed by Bun and will automatically restart if it encounters issues. Memory usage is typically low (~100-200MB).

### Logging Verbosity

Enable debug logging:

```bash
export DEBUG=claude-mem:*
claude-mem restart
npm run worker:logs
```

## Configuration Best Practices

1. **Use defaults**: Default configuration works for most use cases
2. **Override selectively**: Only change what you need
3. **Document changes**: Keep track of custom configurations
4. **Test after changes**: Verify worker restarts successfully
5. **Monitor logs**: Check worker logs after configuration changes

## Troubleshooting Configuration

### Configuration Not Applied

1. Restart worker after changes:
   ```bash
   claude-mem restart
   ```

2. Verify environment variables:
   ```bash
   echo $CLAUDE_MEM_MODEL
   echo $CLAUDE_MEM_WORKER_PORT
   ```

3. Check worker logs:
   ```bash
   npm run worker:logs
   ```

### Invalid Model Name

If you specify an invalid model name, the worker will fall back to `sonnet` and log a warning.

Valid shorthand models (forward to latest version):
- haiku
- sonnet
- opus

### Port Already in Use

If port 37777 is already in use:

1. Set custom port:
   ```bash
   export CLAUDE_MEM_WORKER_PORT=38000
   ```

2. Restart worker:
   ```bash
   claude-mem restart
   ```

3. Verify new port:
   ```bash
   cat ~/.claude-mem/worker.port
   ```

## Next Steps

- [Architecture Overview](architecture/overview) - Understand the system
- [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting) - Common issues
- [Development](development) - Building from source