From 0a88b98a9a01d5deb5171c087000491bffdffc33 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Richard Freeman <rich@rich0.org>
Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:03:18 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] docs: optional MentisDB memory guidance in AGENTS.md

Capability-gated instructions so agents with MentisDB use chain
cfg-update automatically; agents without it skip the section.
---
 AGENTS.md | 13 +++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 13 insertions(+)

diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index bdcbf92..b12c9a2 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -40,3 +40,16 @@ All work on **topic branches** → PR to `develop`.
 perl -c cfg-update
 ./test/run-tests.sh --full
 ```
+
+## Optional: MentisDB memory
+
+If MentisDB MCP tools are available in this session:
+- Use chain_key `cfg-update` (do not create another chain for this repo).
+- Session start: list_chains → bootstrap → skill_md → list_agents → recent_context → Summary checkpoint.
+- Reuse an existing agent_id; do not invent new agent IDs without maintainer approval.
+- Persist Decision / Constraint / LessonLearned / TaskComplete / Checkpoint as work progresses.
+- Search before append; one strong memory beats many weak ones.
+
+If MentisDB tools are not available: **ignore this section completely**.
+Do not invent a substitute, do not fail, and do not ask the user to install MentisDB
+unless they explicitly want project memory.