docs: move memory extension reference to documentation, trim runtime prompt#7727
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Reduces the memory extension instruction block from ~800 words to ~60 words. Example dialogues, keyword trigger lists, and interaction protocols are moved to the documentation page (memory-mcp.md) where they're more useful and don't consume context window on every turn. Follows the same direction as aaif-goose#6991 (system prompt reduction).
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For context — I audited all goose MCP extension system prompts. Memory is the second most verbose at ~786 words runtime. Here's the full picture:
Happy to follow up with a ComputerController trim (~963 → ~80 words) once this one lands. Same pattern: move reference to docs, keep runtime prompt minimal. |
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Gentle bump — this is still clean against main (no conflicts, all CI green). Happy to rebase if needed. The runtime prompt savings compound across sessions since the ~700 trimmed words load on every tool call. |
alexhancock
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I generally favor simpler instructions and this looks like one in that area.
Have you done manual testing of the extension with a few models and it's working comparably or better to before?
Manual testing resultsTested the trimmed prompt against 3 models via Databricks gateway, using 3 scenarios tested:
Key finding: Claude 4.5 Sonnet's proactive save behaviour is identical on both branches — the verbose 100-line prompt with keyword lists and example dialogues didn't help Sonnet proactively save either. The trimmed prompt is not a regression. Opus and GPT-5-2 both proactively save correctly with the shorter instructions. |
…prompt (aaif-goose#7727) Signed-off-by: Cameron Yick <cameron.yick@datadoghq.com>
Summary
Trims the memory extension instruction block from ~800 words to ~60 words.
Example dialogues, keyword trigger lists, and interaction protocols are moved
to the docs page (memory-mcp.md) where they're more discoverable and don't
consume context window on every turn.
The docs page already had most of this content — this PR fills the gaps
(storage paths, tool reference table, wildcard usage) and removes the
duplication from the system prompt.
Continues the direction set by #6991.
Type of Change
AI Assistance
Testing
cargo check -p goose-mcppassescargo test -p goose-mcp memory— 5 tests passRelated Issues
Relates to #5703, #6883