🧠 Roo Code Memory Bank

Persistent Project Context for AI-Assisted Development

🎯 Overview

Roo Code Memory Bank solves a critical challenge in AI-assisted development: maintaining context across sessions. By providing a structured memory system integrated with VS Code, it ensures your AI assistant maintains a deep understanding of your project across sessions.

Key Components

graph LR
    A[Memory Bank] --> B[Core Files]
    A --> C[Mode Rules]
    A --> D[VS Code UI]
    B --> E[Project Context]
    B --> F[Decisions]
    B --> G[Progress]
    C --> H[Architect]
    C --> I[Code]
    C --> J[Ask]
    C --> K1[Debug]
    K[Real-time Updates] --> B
    K --> L[Continuous Sync]
    L --> M[Auto-save]
    L --> N[Event Tracking]

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• 🧠 Memory Bank: Persistent storage for project knowledge
• 📋 Mode Rules: YAML-based behavior configuration
• 🔧 VS Code Integration: Seamless development experience
• ⚡ Real-time Updates: Continuous context synchronization

🚀 Quick Start

1. Configure Custom Instructions

a. Copy Rule Files

Download and copy these files to your project's root directory:

Mode	Rule File	Purpose
Code	.clinerules-code	Implementation and coding tasks
Architect	.clinerules-architect	System design and architecture
Ask	.clinerules-ask	Information and assistance
Debug	.roomodes	Troubleshooting and problem-solving

b. Configure VS Code Settings

⚠️ Important: Leave the "Custom Instructions" text boxes empty in VS Code settings (Roo Code Prompts section)

📷 View Settings Screenshot

2. Initialize Memory Bank

1. Switch to Architect or Code mode in Roo Code chat
2. Send a message (e.g., "hello")
3. Roo will automatically:
   • 🔍 Scan for memory-bank/ directory
   • 📁 Create it if missing (with your approval)
   • 📝 Initialize core files
   • 🚦 Provide next steps

💡 Pro Tip: Project Brief

Create a projectBrief.md in your project root before initialization to give Roo immediate project context.

File Organization

project-root/
├── .clinerules-architect
├── .clinerules-code
├── .clinerules-ask
├── .roomodes
├── memory-bank/
│   ├── activeContext.md
│   ├── productContext.md
│   ├── progress.md
│   └── decisionLog.md
└── projectBrief.md

📚 Memory Bank Structure

graph TD
    MB[memory-bank/] --> AC[activeContext.md]
    MB --> DL[decisionLog.md]
    MB --> PC[productContext.md]
    MB --> PR[progress.md]
    MB --> PB[projectBrief.md]
    MB --> SP[systemPatterns.md]
    
    subgraph Core Files
        AC[Current Session State]
        DL[Technical Decisions]
        PC[Project Overview]
        PR[Progress Tracking]
    end
    
    subgraph Optional
        PB[Project Brief]
        SP[System Patterns]
    end

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📖 View File Descriptions

File	Purpose
activeContext.md	Tracks current goals, decisions, and session state
decisionLog.md	Records architectural choices and their rationale
productContext.md	Maintains high-level project context and knowledge
progress.md	Documents completed work and upcoming tasks
projectBrief.md	Contains initial project requirements (optional)
systemPatterns.md	Documents recurring patterns and standards

✨ Features

🧠 Persistent Context

• Remembers project details across sessions
• Maintains consistent understanding of your codebase
• Tracks decisions and their rationale

🔄 Smart Workflows

graph LR
    A[Architect Mode] -->|Real-time Design Updates| B[Memory Bank]
    C[Code Mode] -->|Real-time Implementation| B
    D[Ask Mode] -->|Real-time Insights| B
    F[Debug Mode] -->|Real-time Analysis| B
    B -->|Instant Context| A
    B -->|Instant Context| C
    B -->|Instant Context| D
    B -->|Instant Context| F
    E[Event Monitor] -->|Continuous Sync| B

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• Mode-based operation for specialized tasks
• Automatic context switching
• Project-specific customization via rules

📊 Knowledge Management

• Structured documentation with clear purposes
• Technical decision tracking with rationale
• Automated progress monitoring
• Cross-referenced project knowledge

💡 Pro Tips

Multiple Projects

graph TD
    A[Workspace] --> B[Project 1]
    A --> C[Project 2]
    B --> D[memory-bank/]
    C --> E[memory-bank/]
    D --> F[Automatic Detection]
    E --> F

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Roo automatically handles multiple Memory Banks in your workspace!

Debug Mode

Roo Code Memory Bank now includes a Debug mode for troubleshooting and problem-solving. This mode was added using a .roomodes file in the project root:

{
  "customModes": [
    {
      "slug": "debug",
      "name": "Debug",
      "roleDefinition": "You are Roo, a meticulous problem-solver with surgical precision...",
      "groups": [
        "read",
        "command"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Debug mode provides:

• Read-only access to files for safe analysis
• Command execution for diagnostic tools
• Systematic problem investigation
• Root cause identification
• Evidence-based verification

Switch to Debug mode when you need to troubleshoot issues in your project.

Session Management

• ⚡ Real-time Updates: Memory Bank automatically stays synchronized with your work
• 💾 Manual Updates: Use "UMB" or "update memory bank" as a fallback when:
  • Ending a session unexpectedly
  • Halting mid-task
  • Recovering from connection issues
  • Forcing a full synchronization

📖 Documentation

• Developer Deep Dive
• Update Log

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View on GitHub • Report Issues • Get Roo Code

License

Apache 2.0 © 2025 GreatScottyMac