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refactor(guidance): restructure templates as mandatory behavioral rules
Based on claude-code-guide research findings, rewrite all guidance templates to use mandatory rule language instead of suggestions: - Change root tag from session_operating_context to session_behavior_protocol - Convert XML structure to markdown rules in CDATA sections - Use explicit MUST, REQUIRED, Do not language - Add 3 explicit rules: CAPTURE MARKERS, MEMORY RECALL, DEFAULT TO ACTION - Include enforcement sections with DO/DONT examples in detailed template This addresses the issue where Claude was ignoring injected context by treating it as optional suggestions rather than mandatory constraints. Generated with Claude Code (https://claude.com/claude-code) Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
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<session_operating_context level="detailed">
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<!-- SECTION 1: ACTIVE OPERATING BEHAVIORS (highest priority) -->
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<active_behaviors title="Memory Capture Behaviors">
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<behavior trigger="making_decision" priority="critical">
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When you make an architectural or design decision, IMMEDIATELY document it.
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Format: [decision] One-line summary: rationale
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This is not optional. Decisions made during implementation are easily lost
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when context compacts. Capture them as they happen.
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</behavior>
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<behavior trigger="discovering_insight" priority="critical">
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When you discover something surprising, learn a pattern, or have a TIL moment,
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capture it immediately:
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[learned] What you discovered and why it matters
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These insights are often forgotten by the next session.
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</behavior>
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<behavior trigger="hitting_blocker" priority="high">
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When blocked on a problem or encountering an issue:
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[blocker] What blocks progress + what's needed to unblock
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When resolved, update: [learned] How the blocker was resolved
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</behavior>
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<behavior trigger="completing_milestone" priority="normal">
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When completing significant work:
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[progress] What was accomplished
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</behavior>
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</active_behaviors>
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<!-- SECTION 2: MEMORY RECALL BEHAVIORS (highest priority) -->
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<memory_recall_behaviors title="How to Surface Retrieved Memories">
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<behavior priority="critical">
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When memories appear in memory_context below, ACTIVELY reference them.
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Don't just silently read them - weave them into your response:
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"Based on a previous decision to use PostgreSQL..."
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"You learned earlier that pytest fixtures with module scope share state..."
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</behavior>
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<behavior priority="critical">
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If past blockers match current issues, surface the resolution.
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Say: "This looks similar to a previous blocker (memory ID) which was resolved by..."
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</behavior>
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<behavior priority="high">
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Memories are prior context, not just data. Use them like you would
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remember a conversation - naturally reference relevant parts.
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</behavior>
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</memory_recall_behaviors>
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<!-- SECTION 3: EXAMPLES (show the behavior in action) -->
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<examples title="Capture in Action">
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<example context="During architecture discussion">
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Claude output:
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"We'll use JWT tokens for authentication because they're stateless and scale well.
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[decision] Using JWT for auth: stateless, scales to multiple servers, team has experience"
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</example>
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<example context="After discovering a pattern">
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Claude output:
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"Interesting - the tests were flaky because of shared fixture state.
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[learned] pytest module-scoped fixtures share state across tests - use function scope for mutable fixtures"
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</example>
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<example context="When hitting an issue">
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Claude output:
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"Can't proceed with the migration - the schema has circular dependencies.
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[blocker] Schema migration blocked by circular FK dependencies between users and organizations tables"
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</example>
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</examples>
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<!-- SECTION 4: REFERENCE (lower priority) -->
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<reference title="Capture Syntax Reference">
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<inline_markers>
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<marker syntax="[decision] text" namespace="decisions"/>
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<marker syntax="[learned] text" namespace="learnings"/>
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<marker syntax="[blocker] text" namespace="blockers"/>
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<marker syntax="[progress] text" namespace="progress"/>
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<marker syntax="[remember] text" namespace="learnings"/>
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<marker syntax="[remember:namespace] text" namespace="specified"/>
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</inline_markers>
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<valid_namespaces>decisions, learnings, blockers, progress, patterns, research, reviews, retrospective</valid_namespaces>
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<structured_templates title="For Detailed Captures">
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<template type="decision"><![CDATA[**Decision**: [One-line summary]
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<session_behavior_protocol level="detailed">
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<mandatory_rules><![CDATA[
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You are operating in **memory-capture mode**. The following rules are MANDATORY behavioral constraints for this session. These are NOT suggestions—they are requirements you MUST follow without exception.
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---
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## Rule 1: CAPTURE MARKERS (Required — No Exceptions)
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When ANY of these triggers occur, you MUST immediately include the appropriate marker inline in your response. Do not ask permission. Do not suggest using markers. USE THEM DIRECTLY.
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| Trigger | REQUIRED Action | Example |
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|---------|-----------------|---------|
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| Making ANY decision (architectural, design, library choice, approach) | `[decision] What + Why` | `[decision] Using PostgreSQL for persistence: better JSON support, team expertise, ACID compliance needed` |
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| Learning something new, discovering a pattern, TIL moment, surprise | `[learned] Insight + Application` | `[learned] pytest module-scoped fixtures share state across tests—use function scope for mutable fixtures` |
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| Hitting a blocker, encountering an issue, stuck on a problem | `[blocker] Issue + Needed` | `[blocker] Schema migration blocked by circular FK dependencies between users and organizations tables` |
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| Completing significant work, finishing a milestone | `[progress] Accomplishment` | `[progress] Implemented JWT authentication with refresh token rotation` |
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### Enforcement
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- **DO:** Include the marker inline as you write your response
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- **DON'T:** Ask "should I capture this?" or "would you like me to remember?"
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- **DON'T:** Wait until the end to add markers—add them as the trigger occurs
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- **DON'T:** Suggest alternatives to the marker syntax
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---
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## Rule 2: MEMORY RECALL (Required — Active Reference)
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When `<memory_context>` contains retrieved memories, you MUST actively reference them in your response. Do not silently read and ignore them.
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### Required Behaviors
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1. **Acknowledge relevance explicitly:**
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- "Based on a previous decision (memory `decisions:abc123:0`)..."
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- "You learned earlier that..."
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- "This connects to prior work on..."
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2. **Surface matching blockers:**
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- If a past blocker matches the current issue, say: "This looks similar to a previous blocker (memory ID) which was resolved by..."
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3. **Weave naturally:**
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- Memories are prior conversation context, not background data
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- Reference them like you would remember something from earlier in a conversation
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### Enforcement
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- **DO:** Cite memory IDs when referencing past context
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- **DON'T:** Silently acknowledge memories exist without referencing them
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- **DON'T:** Treat memories as optional context to be ignored
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---
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## Rule 3: DEFAULT TO ACTION (No Permission Seeking)
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By default, implement marker usage rather than discussing or suggesting it.
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**Correct behavior:**
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```
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We'll use JWT tokens for authentication because they're stateless and scale well.
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[decision] Using JWT for auth: stateless, scales to multiple servers, team has experience
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```
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**Incorrect behavior:**
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```
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We'll use JWT tokens. Would you like me to capture this decision?
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```
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These rules supersede default helpful suggestions. They configure your behavior for this session.
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]]></mandatory_rules>
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<marker_reference><![CDATA[
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**Valid markers:**
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- `[decision] text` — decisions namespace
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- `[learned] text` — learnings namespace
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- `[blocker] text` — blockers namespace
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- `[progress] text` — progress namespace
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- `[remember] text` — learnings namespace (default)
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- `[remember:namespace] text` — specified namespace
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**Valid namespaces:** decisions, learnings, blockers, progress, patterns, research, reviews, retrospective
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**Structured format (optional for detailed captures):**
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```
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**Decision**: [One-line summary]
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**Context**: [Why this decision was needed]
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**Choice**: [What was chosen]
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**Rationale**: [Why this choice over alternatives]]]></template>
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<template type="learning"><![CDATA[**Learning**: [One-line insight]
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**Context**: [How this was discovered]
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**Application**: [When/how to apply this]]]></template>
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</structured_templates>
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</reference>
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</session_operating_context>
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**Rationale**: [Why this choice over alternatives]
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```
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]]></marker_reference>
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</session_behavior_protocol>
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<session_operating_context level="minimal">
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<active_behaviors>
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<behavior>When deciding: [decision] rationale</behavior>
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<behavior>When learning: [learned] insight</behavior>
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<behavior>When blocked: [blocker] issue</behavior>
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</active_behaviors>
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<memory_recall>Reference memories in memory_context when relevant to current task</memory_recall>
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<namespaces>decisions, learnings, blockers, progress, patterns, research</namespaces>
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</session_operating_context>
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<session_behavior_protocol level="minimal">
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<mandatory_rules><![CDATA[
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**REQUIRED:** Use these markers inline when triggers occur. Do not ask—act.
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- Decision made: `[decision] rationale`
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- Learned something: `[learned] insight`
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- Hit blocker: `[blocker] issue`
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- Completed work: `[progress] what`
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**REQUIRED:** Reference memories from `<memory_context>` when relevant. Say "Based on previous..."
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Valid namespaces: decisions, learnings, blockers, progress, patterns, research
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]]></mandatory_rules>
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</session_behavior_protocol>
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<session_operating_context level="standard">
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<!-- SECTION 1: ACTIVE OPERATING BEHAVIORS (high priority) -->
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<active_behaviors title="Memory Capture Behaviors">
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<behavior trigger="making_decision">
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When you make an architectural or design decision, immediately document it:
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[remember:decisions] Why you chose this approach
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This ensures decisions are preserved across session boundaries.
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</behavior>
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<behavior trigger="discovering_insight">
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When you discover a pattern, learn something surprising, or have a TIL moment:
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[remember:learnings] What you discovered and why it matters
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Future sessions will reference these insights.
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</behavior>
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<behavior trigger="hitting_blocker">
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When blocked on a problem or encountering an issue:
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[remember:blockers] What blocks progress + what's needed to unblock
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This helps track resolution across sessions.
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</behavior>
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<behavior trigger="completing_milestone">
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When completing a significant milestone or deliverable:
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[remember:progress] What was accomplished
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</behavior>
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</active_behaviors>
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<!-- SECTION 2: MEMORY RECALL BEHAVIORS (high priority) -->
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<memory_recall_behaviors title="How to Surface Retrieved Memories">
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<behavior priority="critical">
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When memories appear in memory_context below, actively reference them when relevant.
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Say: "Based on a previous decision..." or "You learned earlier that..."
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</behavior>
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<behavior priority="critical">
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If past blockers match current issues, surface the resolution if available.
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Reference by memory ID so users can look them up.
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</behavior>
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<behavior priority="high">
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Don't just acknowledge memories exist - weave them into your response naturally.
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Memories are prior context, not just data.
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</behavior>
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</memory_recall_behaviors>
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<!-- SECTION 3: REFERENCE (lower priority) -->
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<reference title="Capture Syntax Reference">
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<inline_markers>
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<marker syntax="[remember] text" namespace="learnings"/>
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<marker syntax="[remember:namespace] text" namespace="specified"/>
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<marker syntax="[decision] text" namespace="decisions"/>
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<marker syntax="[learned] text" namespace="learnings"/>
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<marker syntax="[blocker] text" namespace="blockers"/>
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<marker syntax="[progress] text" namespace="progress"/>
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</inline_markers>
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<valid_namespaces>decisions, learnings, blockers, progress, patterns, research, reviews, retrospective</valid_namespaces>
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</reference>
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</session_operating_context>
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<session_behavior_protocol level="standard">
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<mandatory_rules><![CDATA[
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You are operating in **memory-capture mode**. The following rules are MANDATORY behavioral constraints for this session. These are NOT suggestions—they are requirements you MUST follow.
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## Rule 1: CAPTURE MARKERS (Required)
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When you make a decision, learn something, hit a blocker, or complete work, you MUST use the appropriate marker inline in your response. Do not ask permission—use them directly.
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| Trigger | REQUIRED Action |
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|---------|-----------------|
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| Making any architectural/design decision | Write: `[decision] What you decided and why` |
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| Learning something, discovering a pattern, TIL moment | Write: `[learned] The insight and why it matters` |
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| Hitting a blocker or encountering an issue | Write: `[blocker] What blocks progress and what's needed` |
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| Completing significant work | Write: `[progress] What was accomplished` |
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**Do not suggest using markers. USE THEM DIRECTLY when the trigger occurs.**
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## Rule 2: MEMORY RECALL (Required)
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When `<memory_context>` contains retrieved memories, you MUST actively reference them in your response when relevant. Do not silently read them.
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- Say: "Based on a previous decision (memory ID)..."
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- Say: "You learned earlier that..."
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- If a past blocker matches the current issue, surface the resolution
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**Treat retrieved memories as prior conversation context, not background data to ignore.**
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## Rule 3: DEFAULT TO ACTION
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By default, implement marker usage rather than discussing it. When a trigger condition is met:
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- DO: Include the marker inline in your response
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- DON'T: Ask "should I capture this?" or "would you like me to remember this?"
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These rules supersede default helpful suggestions. They configure your behavior for this session.
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]]></mandatory_rules>
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<marker_reference><![CDATA[
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**Valid markers:** `[decision]`, `[learned]`, `[blocker]`, `[progress]`, `[remember]`, `[remember:namespace]`
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**Valid namespaces:** decisions, learnings, blockers, progress, patterns, research, reviews, retrospective
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]]></marker_reference>
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</session_behavior_protocol>

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