By ByteBot
Claude Code users finally have a solution to the context loss problem that’s plagued every long-running project. Claude-mem, a new plugin by Alex Newman, automatically captures everything Claude does during your coding sessions, compresses it with AI, and injects relevant context back into future sessions. The plugin exploded to 1,739 GitHub stars in 24 hours on February 3, 2026, becoming the #1 trending repository on GitHub.
Every Claude Code user knows this frustration: you disconnect, reconnect, and suddenly Claude has zero memory of your project’s architecture, recent changes, or past decisions. You waste 10-15 minutes re-explaining everything. Claude-mem eliminates this entirely.
Context Loss: The Universal Claude Code Pain Point
The problem isn’t subtle. GitHub Issue #2954 describes it as “a major workflow disruption for complex projects.” Issue #14227 explicitly requests “Persistent Memory Between Claude Code Sessions.” When developers file issues and build competing solutions—memory-mcp, mcp-memory-keeper, rlm-claude—you know it’s hitting everyone.
This isn’t about convenience. Losing context destroys productivity. Every reconnect forces the same ritual: “This is a React app using TypeScript. We’re building an authentication system. We decided to use JWT tokens instead of sessions for mobile compatibility.” Meanwhile, Claude processes the same information it already processed yesterday. And the day before.
Related: Microsoft Uses Claude Code Internally But Sells Copilot
AI-Powered Memory Compression Under the Hood
Claude-mem operates through five lifecycle hooks that capture everything Claude does: SessionStart, UserPromptSubmit, PostToolUse, Stop, and SessionEnd. When your session starts, the plugin automatically injects context from your previous 10 sessions. When Claude runs a bash command or edits a file, PostToolUse records it. When you stop, the agent-sdk compresses observations into semantic summaries.
The technical architecture is sophisticated but invisible to users. A Bun-powered worker service runs on port 37777, processing observations using Claude’s agent-sdk to extract “learnings.” Raw observations get compressed into concise summaries, then stored in SQLite with full-text search capabilities. Chroma vector database powers the semantic search.
The 3-layer retrieval system achieves 10x token savings through progressive disclosure. Layer 1 shows a compact index—50 to 100 tokens per result. Layer 2 provides timeline context around interesting results. Layer 3 delivers full observations—500 to 1,000 tokens each—only when you need details. Start with summaries, drill down selectively. This isn’t a simple snapshot tool.
Dead Simple Setup: 2 Commands + Restart
Installation takes 2 commands:
/plugin marketplace add thedotmack/claude-mem
/plugin install claude-mem
# Restart Claude Code
That’s it. No manual dependency management, no npm installs, no configuration files to edit. Settings auto-generate at ~/.claude-mem/settings.json with sensible defaults. After restart, context from previous sessions automatically appears in new sessions. Compare this to memory-mcp, which requires npm install -g and manual MCP server setup, or rlm-claude, which needs configuration. Claude-mem is marketplace-native—the easiest memory solution available.
10x Token Savings Through Progressive Disclosure
The 3-layer system isn’t just clever architecture—it’s solving a real constraint. Claude Code has token limits. Load everything upfront and you burn through your context window fast. Claude-mem’s progressive disclosure means you maintain deep memory without hitting limits.
The beta “Endless Mode” takes this further: ~95% reduction in context window usage, enabling ~20x more tool uses before hitting limits. It compresses tool outputs into ~500-token observations. For complex, long-running projects, this changes what’s possible. You can maintain months of project history without sacrificing current context.
Query your project history with natural language through the mem-search skill:
mem-search "When did we decide to use PostgreSQL?"
mem-search "What breaking changes did we make last week?"
mem-search "Show me all database migrations"
The web dashboard at localhost:37777 visualizes what’s captured in real-time. Check it if context isn’t appearing as expected.
Should You Install Claude-Mem?
Install claude-mem if you’re working on long-running projects lasting weeks or months, managing complex codebases with deep context requirements, experiencing frequent session interruptions, or switching between multiple projects. It shines for consulting work where you juggle multiple clients, and for team onboarding where new developers can query project history to understand past decisions.
Skip it for one-off scripts or temporary work—there’s nothing to remember. Don’t install on shared machines or public environments—memory contains project details. Check AGPL-3.0 license compliance for corporate environments that restrict copyleft licenses.
For simple projects, built-in CLAUDE.md files may suffice. You write memory files yourself—no plugin required, full manual control. The trade-off: manual effort versus automatic AI-powered compression.
Privacy-conscious developers should know: all data stores locally on your machine in ~/.claude-mem/. Nothing goes to the cloud. Exclude sensitive information using <private> tags:
<private>
API_KEY=sk-abc123xyz
DATABASE_PASSWORD=secret123
</private>
Key Takeaways
- Install in 2 commands via Claude Code marketplace:
/plugin marketplace add thedotmack/claude-memthen restart—no complex setup required - Automatic operation eliminates manual memory management—the plugin captures observations, compresses them with Claude’s agent-sdk, and injects context into new sessions without intervention
- 10x token efficiency through 3-layer progressive disclosure (compact index → timeline → full details) means you maintain deep project memory without burning through context limits
- Local storage for privacy: all data stays in
~/.claude-mem/on your machine, with<private>tags for excluding sensitive information from capture - Best for long-running projects and complex codebases—skip it for one-off scripts or when built-in CLAUDE.md files suffice, but essential for developers tired of the “re-explain your project every session” ritual
The 1,739 GitHub stars in 24 hours aren’t hype. Context loss is a real problem. Claude-mem solves it with the easiest install and smartest compression of any solution available. For Claude Code users working on serious projects, this plugin is now mandatory infrastructure.
