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+# Claude Code Memory Auto-Load (CORE.md Symlinks)
+
+## Problem
+Claude Code's CLAUDE.md can instruct the AI to load files at session start, but this relies on the model choosing to follow the instruction — which it often doesn't.
+
+## Solution
+Claude Code has a built-in auto-memory feature: each project gets a `MEMORY.md` file at `~/.claude/projects/<project-path>/memory/MEMORY.md` that is **automatically injected into the system prompt** every session. No tool calls needed.
+
+We symlink every project's `MEMORY.md` to our cognitive memory `CORE.md` (`~/.claude/memory/CORE.md`), which is an auto-curated summary of the most relevant memories (~1,000-1,100 tokens).
+
+## How It Works
+
+```
+~/.claude/projects/<project>/memory/MEMORY.md  →  ~/.claude/memory/CORE.md
+```
+
+- CORE.md is regenerated daily by `cognitive-memory-daily.service`
+- Symlinks are refreshed daily by the same service (catches new projects)
+- Cost: ~1% of 200k context window — negligible
+
+## Files
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `~/.local/bin/claude-memory-symlinks` | Script that creates/refreshes symlinks for all projects |
+| `~/.config/systemd/user/cognitive-memory-daily.service` | Daily timer that runs decay → core → embed → symlinks |
+| `~/.claude/memory/CORE.md` | Auto-curated cognitive memory summary (symlink target) |
+
+## Manual Refresh
+
+```bash
+# Regenerate CORE.md and refresh symlinks
+claude-memory core && claude-memory-symlinks
+
+# Just refresh symlinks (e.g., after creating a new project)
+claude-memory-symlinks
+```
+
+## What Changed
+
+- **Removed** from `~/.claude/CLAUDE.md`: "Session start: Load CORE.md" instruction
+- **Added** to `~/.claude/CLAUDE.md`: "CORE.md auto-loads via MEMORY.md symlinks"
+- **Migrated** project-specific MEMORY.md content (major-domo, strat-gameplay-webapp) into cognitive memory before replacing with symlinks
+- **Added** `claude-memory-symlinks` step to daily systemd service
+
+## Date
+2026-02-16