At its core is MEMORY.md, a lightweight index of pointers (~150 characters per line) that is perpetually loaded into the context. This index does not store data; it stores locations.

Actual project knowledge is distributed across “topic files” fetched on-demand, while raw transcripts are never fully read back into the context, but merely “grep’d” for specific identifiers.

This “Strict Write Discipline”—where the agent must update its index only after a successful file write—prevents the model from polluting its context with failed attempts.

For competitors, the “blueprint” is clear: build a skeptical memory. The code confirms that Anthropic’s agents are instructed to treat their own memory as a “hint,” requiring the model to verify facts against the actual codebase before proceeding.

Interesting to see if continue.dev takes advantage of this methodology. My only complaint has been context with it.