HOOK_IMPROVEMENTS.md•3.26 kB
# Claude Code Session Hook Improvements
## Overview
Enhanced the session start hook to prioritize recent memories and provide better context awareness for Claude Code sessions.
## Key Improvements Made
### 1. Multi-Phase Memory Retrieval
- **Phase 1**: Recent memories (last week) - 60% of available slots
- **Phase 2**: Important tagged memories (architecture, decisions) - remaining slots
- **Phase 3**: Fallback to general project context if needed
### 2. Enhanced Recency Prioritization
- Recent memories get higher priority in initial search
- Time-based indicators: 🕒 today, 📅 this week, regular dates for older
- Configurable time windows (`last-week`, `last-2-weeks`, `last-month`)
### 3. Better Memory Categorization
- New "Recent Work" category for memories from last 7 days
- Improved categorization: Recent → Decisions → Architecture → Insights → Features → Context
- Visual indicators for recency in CLI output
### 4. Enhanced Semantic Queries  
- Git context integration (branch, recent commits)
- Framework and language context in queries
- User message context when available
### 5. Improved Configuration
```json
{
  "memoryService": {
    "recentFirstMode": true,           // Enable multi-phase retrieval
    "recentMemoryRatio": 0.6,          // 60% for recent memories
    "recentTimeWindow": "last-week",   // Time window for recent search
    "fallbackTimeWindow": "last-month" // Fallback time window
  },
  "output": {
    "showMemoryDetails": true,         // Show detailed memory info
    "showRecencyInfo": true,           // Show recency indicators
    "showPhaseDetails": true           // Show search phase details
  }
}
```
### 6. Better Visual Feedback
- Phase-by-phase search reporting
- Recency indicators in memory display
- Enhanced scoring display with time flags
- Better deduplication reporting
## Expected Impact
### Before
- Single query for all memories
- No recency prioritization
- Limited context in queries
- Basic categorization
- Truncated output
### After  
- Multi-phase approach prioritizing recent memories
- Smart time-based retrieval
- Git and framework-aware queries
- Enhanced categorization with "Recent Work"
- Full context display with recency indicators
## Usage
The improvements are **backward compatible** - existing installations will automatically use the enhanced system. To disable, set:
```json
{
  "memoryService": {
    "recentFirstMode": false
  }
}
```
## Files Modified
1. `claude-hooks/core/session-start.js` - Multi-phase retrieval logic
2. `claude-hooks/utilities/context-formatter.js` - Enhanced display and categorization  
3. `claude-hooks/config.json` - New configuration options
4. `test-hook.js` - Test script for validation
## Testing
Run `node test-hook.js` to test the enhanced hook with mock context. The test demonstrates:
- Project detection and context building
- Multi-phase memory retrieval
- Enhanced categorization and display
- Git context integration
- Configurable time windows
## Result
Session hooks now provide more relevant, recent context while maintaining access to important historical decisions and architecture information. Users get better continuity with their recent work while preserving long-term project memory.