How do I install distill-memory?

Run `npx skills add https://github.com/nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory` in your terminal. You need to have run `npx skills init` once in your project first.

Which agent frameworks does distill-memory support?

distill-memory works with any agent framework supported by the Skills registry, including Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Cline, Codex, and Gemini CLI.

Is distill-memory free to use?

Yes. distill-memory is free to install and use. It is available from the open Skills registry published by nowledge-co.

Productivity

distill-memory▌

Name: distill-memory
Availability: InStock
Author: nowledge-co

nowledge-co/community · updated Apr 8, 2026

$npx skills add https://github.com/nowledge-co/community --skill distill-memory

summary

Persistent knowledge capture for insights, decisions, and procedures that span multiple agent sessions.

›Store decisions with rationale, debugging lessons, repeatable workflows, and durable preferences as searchable memories
›Distinguish between new insights (use add ) and refinements to existing memories (use update ) to avoid duplication
›Design memories as atomic, standalone entries with clear titles that remain useful across future sessions
›Ideal for preserving incident learnings

skill.md

Distill Memory

Save proactively when the conversation produces a decision, preference, plan, procedure, learning, or important context. Do not wait to be asked.

When to Suggest (Moment Detection)

Breakthrough: Extended debugging resolves, user relief ("Finally!", "Aha!"), root cause found

Decision: Compared options, chose with rationale, trade-off resolved

Research: Investigated multiple approaches, conclusion reached, optimal path determined

Twist: Unexpected cause-effect, counterintuitive solution, assumption challenged

Lesson: "Next time do X", preventive measure, pattern recognized

Skip: Routine fixes, work in progress, simple Q&A, generic info

Memory Quality

Good (atomic + actionable):

"React hooks cleanup must return function. Caused leaks."
"PostgreSQL over MongoDB: ACID needed for transactions."

Poor: Vague "Fixed bugs", conversation transcript

Tool Usage

Use nmem CLI to create memories:

nmem m add "Insight + context for future use" \
  -t "Searchable title (50-60 chars)" \
  -i 0.8

If an existing memory already captures the same decision, workflow, or preference and the new information refines it, update that memory instead of creating a duplicate:

nmem m update <id> -t "Updated title"

Content: Outcome/insight focus, include "why", enough context

Importance: 0.8-1.0 major | 0.5-0.7 useful | 0.3-0.4 minor

Note: For programmatic use, add --json flag to get JSON response

Examples:

# High-value insight
nmem m add "React hooks cleanup must return function. Caused memory leaks in event listeners." \
  -t "React Hooks Cleanup Pattern" \
  -i 0.9

# Decision with context
nmem m add "Chose PostgreSQL over MongoDB for ACID compliance and complex queries" \
  -t "Database: PostgreSQL" \
  -i 0.9

Suggestion

Timing: After resolution/decision, when user pauses

Pattern: "This [type] seems valuable - [essence]. Distill into memory?"

Frequency: 1-3 per session typical, quality over quantity

Troubleshooting

If nmem is not in PATH: pip install nmem-cli

For remote servers: create ~/.nowledge-mem/config.json with {"apiUrl": "...", "apiKey": "..."}.

Run /status to check server connection.