inbox-memory

Inbox Memory

This skill reads and writes persistent memory and rules files for the Inbox agent. It abstracts storage so all agents use a single skill instead of calling #memory directly.

File names

• Memory: github-inbox-memory.md — session context, patterns, preferences
• Rules: github-inbox-rules.md — user's rules and preferences

Storage strategy

Two possible backends:

• #memory tool (VS Code Chat) — stores under the virtual path /memories/
• File system (~/.copilot/) — used by Copilot CLI; also usable from VS Code Chat
  • ~/.copilot/github-inbox-memory.md
  • ~/.copilot/github-inbox-rules.md

How to pick a backend (run ONCE per session, cache the choice)

1. Detect availability of #memory: try { "command": "view", "path": "/memories/github-inbox-memory.md" }. If the tool itself errors as unavailable, #memory is NOT available.
2. Check for existing CLI memory: see if ~/.copilot/github-inbox-memory.md or ~/.copilot/github-inbox-rules.md exist and are non-empty (use ls -la ~/.copilot/ or #view).
3. Decide:
   • If #memory is unavailable → use file system (~/.copilot/). No prompt.
   • If #memory is available AND ~/.copilot/ has NO existing inbox files → use #memory. No prompt.
   • If #memory is available AND ~/.copilot/ has existing inbox files → ASK the user with #askQuestions which backend to use. Show them what was found (file names + sizes or a one-line preview). Options:
     • "Use ~/.copilot/ (existing CLI memory)" — recommended when CLI files exist
     • "Use VS Code #memory (start fresh / keep VS Code-only)"
     • "Use VS Code #memory and import from ~/.copilot/" — copy current CLI files into #memory once
4. Cache the chosen backend for the rest of the session and use it for ALL subsequent reads and writes. Do NOT mix backends within a session.

Reading

Via #memory:

{ "command": "view", "path": "/memories/github-inbox-memory.md" }
{ "command": "view", "path": "/memories/github-inbox-rules.md" }

Via file system (fallback): Read ~/.copilot/github-inbox-memory.md or ~/.copilot/github-inbox-rules.md using #read (VS Code) or #view (CLI). If the file doesn't exist, treat as empty / first-time user.

Writing

Via #memory:

{ "command": "delete", "path": "/memories/github-inbox-memory.md" }
{ "command": "create", "path": "/memories/github-inbox-memory.md", "file_text": "<content>" }

If the file doesn't exist yet, skip the delete and just use create.

Via file system (fallback):

1. Ensure ~/.copilot/ exists: mkdir -p ~/.copilot
2. Write the file using #edit or via terminal: write full content to ~/.copilot/github-inbox-memory.md.

Rules

• Always read before writing to avoid losing existing content
• Memory and rules are separate files — don't mix them
• Keep memory under 100 lines — deduplicate, keep last 5 session logs, be concise
• NEVER use repo memory (/memories/repo/) — only the files listed above