Version History - robwhite4/claude-memory GitHub Wiki

Version History

A comprehensive history of Claude Memory's evolution, documenting major milestones, features, and improvements across all versions.

Version Timeline

v1.0.0 - Initial Release (May 2025)

The Beginning

Claude Memory was born from the need to give AI assistants persistent context across conversations. The initial release established the foundation:

  • Core memory system with JSON storage
  • Basic session management
  • Task tracking functionality
  • Decision logging
  • Simple pattern recognition
  • Manual backup commands

This version proved the concept: AI assistants could maintain context between conversations, dramatically improving productivity.

v1.1.0 - Enhanced Patterns (May 2025)

Learning from Experience

  • Pattern System Overhaul: Added effectiveness ratings and priority levels
  • Pattern Resolution: Track which patterns have been addressed
  • Search Capabilities: Find patterns by description or effectiveness
  • Better Organization: Patterns now categorized by type and status

v1.2.0 - Import/Export (May 2025)

Portability and Sharing

  • Full Export: Complete memory dumps to JSON
  • Export Command: Export memory to JSON file
  • Sanitized Export: Share memory without sensitive data
  • Migration Support: Move between machines easily

v1.3.0 - Stats Enhancement (May 2025)

Better Visibility

  • Detailed Statistics: Memory usage, token counts, growth trends
  • Performance Metrics: Session duration, task velocity
  • Visual Improvements: Colored output, formatted tables
  • Health Indicators: Warnings for large memory files

v1.4.0 - Context Command (May 2025)

AI Integration

  • JSON Context Output: Direct integration with AI tools
  • Selective Context: Choose what to include
  • Token Counting: See exactly how much context you're using
  • Optimized Format: Designed for LLM consumption

v1.5.0 - Pattern Management (May 2025)

Advanced Pattern Features

  • Subcommands: add, list, search, resolve
  • Knowledge System: Store and retrieve project information
  • Categorization: Organize knowledge by type
  • Effectiveness Tracking: Monitor which patterns help most

v1.6.0 - AI Handoffs (June 2025)

Team Collaboration

  • Handoff Summaries: Comprehensive context for transitions
  • Multiple Formats: Human-readable and JSON
  • Selective Handoffs: Choose what information to share
  • Session Continuity: Seamless AI assistant switching

v1.7.0 - Multi-File Context (June 2025)

Scaling Without Limits

Revolutionary change in how memory is stored:

  • Context Directory: Separate files for different memory types
  • No Truncation: Full information preserved
  • Token Optimization: Main file stays small
  • Git-Friendly: Better version control integration

File structure:

.claude/context/
├── knowledge.md    # Complete knowledge base
├── patterns.md     # All patterns with history
├── decisions.md    # Full decision log
└── tasks.md        # Detailed task information

v1.8.0 - Public Release (June 2025)

Ready for the World

First official public release on NPM:

  • Production Ready: Extensive testing completed
  • Documentation: Comprehensive guides and examples
  • Auto Features: Session rotation, backups, optimization
  • Zero Config: Works perfectly out of the box

v1.8.1 - Housekeeping (June 2025)

Polish and Refinement

  • Version Clarity: Clear version attribution
  • Duration Display: Better session time formatting
  • JSON Formatting: Improved readability
  • Bug Fixes: Minor issues resolved

v1.8.2 - Knowledge Enhancement (June 2025)

Better Knowledge Management

  • Pagination: Handle large knowledge bases
  • Long Values: Support for detailed information
  • Display Improvements: Truncation with full access
  • Performance: Faster knowledge operations

v1.9.0 - CLI Enhancement (June 2025)

Developer Experience

Major improvements to command-line interface:

  • Global Flags:

    • --dry-run: Preview changes
    • --config: Custom configurations
    • --force: Skip confirmations
    • --debug: Troubleshooting
    • --version: Version info

  • Code Refactoring:

    • Modular architecture
    • 37% smaller main file
    • Better maintainability
    • Enhanced testing

v1.10.0 - Export/Import & Bulk Operations (June 2025)

Data Portability Revolution

  • Enhanced Export Command: Multiple formats (JSON, YAML, CSV, Markdown)
  • Import Command: Merge/replace modes with validation
  • Bulk Task Operations: Import/export tasks en masse
  • Report Generation: 6 report types with auto-save
  • Type Filtering: Export specific data types
  • Date Range Filtering: Export data from specific periods
  • JSON Schema Standardization: Consistent data structures

v1.11.0 - Summary Management (July 2025)

Project Documentation

  • Summary Commands: generate, list, view for .claude/summaries/
  • Contextual Templates: Summaries include session context
  • Bug Fixes: Knowledge counts update immediately (Issue #53)
  • Handoff Fix: Now saves to HANDOFF.md instead of overwriting CLAUDE.md (Issue #54)
  • Session Linking: Connect summaries to specific sessions

v1.11.1 - Documentation Update (July 2025)

Polish and Accuracy

  • README Updates: Accurate test counts and coverage
  • Consolidated Examples: Reduced repetition by 75%
  • Latest Release Section: Prominent feature highlights
  • No Code Changes: Documentation-only release

Version Comparison

Feature Evolution

Feature v1.0 v1.5 v1.8 v1.9 v1.10 v1.11
Sessions Manual Manual Auto Auto Auto Auto
Backups Manual Manual Auto Auto Auto Auto
Patterns Basic Advanced Advanced Advanced Advanced Advanced
Knowledge ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Multi-file ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Token Opt ❌ Basic Advanced Advanced Advanced Advanced
CLI Flags ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅
Export/Import Basic Basic Basic Basic Advanced Advanced
Reports ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
Summaries ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅

Performance Improvements

  • v1.0: ~500ms startup time
  • v1.5: ~400ms with caching
  • v1.8: ~300ms with optimization
  • v1.9: ~250ms with modular loading

Size Comparison

  • v1.0: Single 3,500 line file
  • v1.5: Single 4,200 line file
  • v1.8: Single 2,800 line file
  • v1.9: Modular, main file 1,770 lines

Breaking Changes

v1.0 → v1.5

  • Pattern command syntax changed
  • Knowledge system added new required parameters

v1.5 → v1.7

  • Context files moved to subdirectory
  • Memory format restructured

v1.7 → v1.8

  • Auto-features enabled by default
  • Config format expanded

Migration Guides

Upgrading to v1.7+

# Backup existing memory
cmem export pre-v1.7-backup.json

# Update and reinitialize
npm update -g claude-memory
cmem init

# Import if needed
# Manually restore from backup
cp .claude/backups/backup-timestamp.json .claude/memory.json

Upgrading to v1.9

No breaking changes - seamless upgrade:

npm update -g claude-memory

Version Support

  • Latest (v1.11.x): Full support, recommended
  • v1.10.x: Security fixes only
  • v1.9.x: Security fixes only
  • v1.8.x: Critical fixes only
  • < v1.8: End of life

Future Versions

v1.12.0 (Planning Phase)

  • Under consideration based on user feedback
  • Potential git integration features
  • Token optimization improvements
  • Enhanced knowledge management

v2.0.0 (Concept)

  • Plugin system
  • Cloud sync options
  • AI model integration
  • Enterprise features

Version Philosophy

Claude Memory follows semantic versioning:

  • Patch (x.x.X): Bug fixes, no API changes
  • Minor (x.X.0): New features, backward compatible
  • Major (X.0.0): Breaking changes

Our commitment:

  • Backward compatibility within major versions
  • Clear migration paths
  • Comprehensive change documentation
  • User-focused improvements

See also: