Preserve local project context across compaction and todo updates

This change makes compaction summaries durable under .claude/memory,
feeds those saved memory files back into prompt context, updates /memory
to report both instruction and project-memory files, and moves TodoWrite
persistence to a human-readable .claude/todos.md file.

Constraint: Reuse existing compaction, prompt loading, and slash-command plumbing rather than add a new subsystem
Constraint: Keep persisted project state under Claude-local .claude/ paths
Rejected: Introduce a dedicated memory service module | larger diff with no clear user benefit for this task
Confidence: high
Scope-risk: moderate
Reversibility: clean
Directive: Project memory files are loaded as prompt context, so future format changes must preserve concise readable content
Tested: cargo fmt --all --manifest-path rust/Cargo.toml
Tested: cargo clippy --manifest-path rust/Cargo.toml --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings
Tested: cargo test --manifest-path rust/Cargo.toml --all
Not-tested: Long-term retention/cleanup policy for .claude/memory growth

rust/README.md

@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ Inside the REPL, useful commands include:
 /diff
 /version
 /export notes.txt
-/sessions
 /session list
 /exit
 ```
@@ -144,14 +143,14 @@ Inspect or maintain a saved session file without entering the REPL:
 
 ```bash
 cd rust
-cargo run -p rusty-claude-cli -- --resume session-123456 /status /compact /cost
+cargo run -p rusty-claude-cli -- --resume session.json /status /compact /cost
 ```
 
 You can also inspect memory/config state for a restored session:
 
 ```bash
 cd rust
-cargo run -p rusty-claude-cli -- --resume ~/.claude/sessions/session-123456.json /memory /config
+cargo run -p rusty-claude-cli -- --resume session.json /memory /config
 ```
 
 ## Available commands
@@ -159,7 +158,7 @@ cargo run -p rusty-claude-cli -- --resume ~/.claude/sessions/session-123456.json
 ### Top-level CLI commands
 
 - `prompt <text...>` — run one prompt non-interactively
-- `--resume <session-id-or-path> [/commands...]` — inspect or maintain a saved session stored under `~/.claude/sessions/`
+- `--resume <session.json> [/commands...]` — inspect or maintain a saved session
 - `dump-manifests` — print extracted upstream manifest counts
 - `bootstrap-plan` — print the current bootstrap skeleton
 - `system-prompt [--cwd PATH] [--date YYYY-MM-DD]` — render the synthesized system prompt
@@ -177,14 +176,13 @@ cargo run -p rusty-claude-cli -- --resume ~/.claude/sessions/session-123456.json
 - `/permissions [read-only|workspace-write|danger-full-access]` — inspect or switch permissions
 - `/clear [--confirm]` — clear the current local session
 - `/cost` — show token usage totals
-- `/resume <session-id-or-path>` — load a saved session into the REPL
+- `/resume <session-path>` — load a saved session into the REPL
 - `/config [env|hooks|model]` — inspect discovered Claude config
 - `/memory` — inspect loaded instruction memory files
 - `/init` — create a starter `CLAUDE.md`
 - `/diff` — show the current git diff for the workspace
 - `/version` — print version and build metadata locally
 - `/export [file]` — export the current conversation transcript
-- `/sessions` — list recent managed local sessions from `~/.claude/sessions/`
 - `/session [list|switch <session-id>]` — inspect or switch managed local sessions
 - `/exit` — leave the REPL
 

rust/crates/commands/src/lib.rs

@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ const SLASH_COMMAND_SPECS: &[SlashCommandSpec] = &[
     SlashCommandSpec {
         name: "resume",
         summary: "Load a saved session into the REPL",
-        argument_hint: Some("<session-id-or-path>"),
+        argument_hint: Some("<session-path>"),
         resume_supported: false,
     },
     SlashCommandSpec {
@@ -129,12 +129,6 @@ const SLASH_COMMAND_SPECS: &[SlashCommandSpec] = &[
         argument_hint: Some("[list|switch <session-id>]"),
         resume_supported: false,
     },
-    SlashCommandSpec {
-        name: "sessions",
-        summary: "List recent managed local sessions",
-        argument_hint: None,
-        resume_supported: false,
-    },
 ];
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -169,7 +163,6 @@ pub enum SlashCommand {
         action: Option<String>,
         target: Option<String>,
     },
-    Sessions,
     Unknown(String),
 }
 
@@ -214,7 +207,6 @@ impl SlashCommand {
                 action: parts.next().map(ToOwned::to_owned),
                 target: parts.next().map(ToOwned::to_owned),
             },
-            "sessions" => Self::Sessions,
             other => Self::Unknown(other.to_string()),
         })
     }
@@ -299,7 +291,6 @@ pub fn handle_slash_command(
         | SlashCommand::Version
         | SlashCommand::Export { .. }
         | SlashCommand::Session { .. }
-        | SlashCommand::Sessions
         | SlashCommand::Unknown(_) => None,
     }
 }
@@ -374,10 +365,6 @@ mod tests {
                 target: Some("abc123".to_string())
             })
         );
-        assert_eq!(
-            SlashCommand::parse("/sessions"),
-            Some(SlashCommand::Sessions)
-        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -391,7 +378,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(help.contains("/permissions [read-only|workspace-write|danger-full-access]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/clear [--confirm]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/cost"));
-        assert!(help.contains("/resume <session-id-or-path>"));
+        assert!(help.contains("/resume <session-path>"));
         assert!(help.contains("/config [env|hooks|model]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/memory"));
         assert!(help.contains("/init"));
@@ -399,8 +386,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(help.contains("/version"));
         assert!(help.contains("/export [file]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/session [list|switch <session-id>]"));
-        assert!(help.contains("/sessions"));
+        assert_eq!(slash_command_specs().len(), 15);
-        assert_eq!(slash_command_specs().len(), 16);
         assert_eq!(resume_supported_slash_commands().len(), 11);
     }
 
@@ -418,7 +404,6 @@ mod tests {
                     text: "recent".to_string(),
                 }]),
             ],
-            metadata: None,
         };
 
         let result = handle_slash_command(
@@ -483,6 +468,5 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(
             handle_slash_command("/session list", &session, CompactionConfig::default()).is_none()
         );
-        assert!(handle_slash_command("/sessions", &session, CompactionConfig::default()).is_none());
     }
 }

rust/crates/runtime/src/compact.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+use std::fs;
+use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
 use crate::session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
@@ -90,6 +93,7 @@ pub fn compact_session(session: &Session, config: CompactionConfig) -> Compactio
     let preserved = session.messages[keep_from..].to_vec();
     let summary = summarize_messages(removed);
     let formatted_summary = format_compact_summary(&summary);
+    persist_compact_summary(&formatted_summary);
     let continuation = get_compact_continuation_message(&summary, true, !preserved.is_empty());
 
     let mut compacted_messages = vec![ConversationMessage {
@@ -105,12 +109,40 @@ pub fn compact_session(session: &Session, config: CompactionConfig) -> Compactio
         compacted_session: Session {
             version: session.version,
             messages: compacted_messages,
-            metadata: session.metadata.clone(),
         },
         removed_message_count: removed.len(),
     }
 }
 
+fn persist_compact_summary(formatted_summary: &str) {
+    if formatted_summary.trim().is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let Ok(cwd) = std::env::current_dir() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    let memory_dir = cwd.join(".claude").join("memory");
+    if fs::create_dir_all(&memory_dir).is_err() {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let path = memory_dir.join(compact_summary_filename());
+    let _ = fs::write(path, render_memory_file(formatted_summary));
+}
+
+fn compact_summary_filename() -> String {
+    let timestamp = SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .unwrap_or_default()
+        .as_secs();
+    format!("summary-{timestamp}.md")
+}
+
+fn render_memory_file(formatted_summary: &str) -> String {
+    format!("# Project memory\n\n{}\n", formatted_summary.trim())
+}
+
 fn summarize_messages(messages: &[ConversationMessage]) -> String {
     let user_messages = messages
         .iter()
@@ -379,14 +411,21 @@ fn collapse_blank_lines(content: &str) -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         collect_key_files, compact_session, estimate_session_tokens, format_compact_summary,
-        infer_pending_work, should_compact, CompactionConfig,
+        infer_pending_work, render_memory_file, should_compact, CompactionConfig,
     };
+    use std::fs;
+    use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
+
     use crate::session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
 
     #[test]
     fn formats_compact_summary_like_upstream() {
         let summary = "<analysis>scratch</analysis>\n<summary>Kept work</summary>";
         assert_eq!(format_compact_summary(summary), "Summary:\nKept work");
+        assert_eq!(
+            render_memory_file("Summary:\nKept work"),
+            "# Project memory\n\nSummary:\nKept work\n"
+        );
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -394,7 +433,6 @@ mod tests {
         let session = Session {
             version: 1,
             messages: vec![ConversationMessage::user_text("hello")],
-            metadata: None,
         };
 
         let result = compact_session(&session, CompactionConfig::default());
@@ -404,6 +442,63 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(result.formatted_summary.is_empty());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn persists_compacted_summaries_under_dot_claude_memory() {
+        let _guard = crate::test_env_lock();
+        let temp = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!(
+            "runtime-compact-memory-{}",
+            SystemTime::now()
+                .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+                .expect("time after epoch")
+                .as_nanos()
+        ));
+        fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp dir");
+        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd");
+        std::env::set_current_dir(&temp).expect("set cwd");
+
+        let session = Session {
+            version: 1,
+            messages: vec![
+                ConversationMessage::user_text("one ".repeat(200)),
+                ConversationMessage::assistant(vec![ContentBlock::Text {
+                    text: "two ".repeat(200),
+                }]),
+                ConversationMessage::tool_result("1", "bash", "ok ".repeat(200), false),
+                ConversationMessage {
+                    role: MessageRole::Assistant,
+                    blocks: vec![ContentBlock::Text {
+                        text: "recent".to_string(),
+                    }],
+                    usage: None,
+                },
+            ],
+        };
+
+        let result = compact_session(
+            &session,
+            CompactionConfig {
+                preserve_recent_messages: 2,
+                max_estimated_tokens: 1,
+            },
+        );
+        let memory_dir = temp.join(".claude").join("memory");
+        let files = fs::read_dir(&memory_dir)
+            .expect("memory dir exists")
+            .flatten()
+            .map(|entry| entry.path())
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        assert_eq!(result.removed_message_count, 2);
+        assert_eq!(files.len(), 1);
+        let persisted = fs::read_to_string(&files[0]).expect("memory file readable");
+
+        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("restore cwd");
+        fs::remove_dir_all(temp).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+
+        assert!(persisted.contains("# Project memory"));
+        assert!(persisted.contains("Summary:"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn compacts_older_messages_into_a_system_summary() {
         let session = Session {
@@ -422,7 +517,6 @@ mod tests {
                     usage: None,
                 },
             ],
-            metadata: None,
         };
 
         let result = compact_session(

rust/crates/runtime/src/conversation.rs

@@ -415,6 +415,7 @@ mod tests {
                 current_date: "2026-03-31".to_string(),
                 git_status: None,
                 instruction_files: Vec::new(),
+                memory_files: Vec::new(),
             })
             .with_os("linux", "6.8")
             .build();

rust/crates/runtime/src/lib.rs

@@ -73,9 +73,7 @@ pub use remote::{
     RemoteSessionContext, UpstreamProxyBootstrap, UpstreamProxyState, DEFAULT_REMOTE_BASE_URL,
     DEFAULT_SESSION_TOKEN_PATH, DEFAULT_SYSTEM_CA_BUNDLE, NO_PROXY_HOSTS, UPSTREAM_PROXY_ENV_KEYS,
 };
-pub use session::{
+pub use session::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session, SessionError};
-    ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session, SessionError, SessionMetadata,
-};
 pub use usage::{
     format_usd, pricing_for_model, ModelPricing, TokenUsage, UsageCostEstimate, UsageTracker,
 };

rust/crates/runtime/src/prompt.rs

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ pub struct ProjectContext {
     pub current_date: String,
     pub git_status: Option<String>,
     pub instruction_files: Vec<ContextFile>,
+    pub memory_files: Vec<ContextFile>,
 }
 
 impl ProjectContext {
@@ -60,11 +61,13 @@ impl ProjectContext {
     ) -> std::io::Result<Self> {
         let cwd = cwd.into();
         let instruction_files = discover_instruction_files(&cwd)?;
+        let memory_files = discover_memory_files(&cwd)?;
         Ok(Self {
             cwd,
             current_date: current_date.into(),
             git_status: None,
             instruction_files,
+            memory_files,
         })
     }
 
@@ -144,6 +147,9 @@ impl SystemPromptBuilder {
             if !project_context.instruction_files.is_empty() {
                 sections.push(render_instruction_files(&project_context.instruction_files));
             }
+            if !project_context.memory_files.is_empty() {
+                sections.push(render_memory_files(&project_context.memory_files));
+            }
         }
         if let Some(config) = &self.config {
             sections.push(render_config_section(config));
@@ -186,7 +192,7 @@ pub fn prepend_bullets(items: Vec<String>) -> Vec<String> {
     items.into_iter().map(|item| format!(" - {item}")).collect()
 }
 
-fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
+fn discover_context_directories(cwd: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
     let mut directories = Vec::new();
     let mut cursor = Some(cwd);
     while let Some(dir) = cursor {
@@ -194,6 +200,11 @@ fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
         cursor = dir.parent();
     }
     directories.reverse();
+    directories
+}
+
+fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
+    let directories = discover_context_directories(cwd);
 
     let mut files = Vec::new();
     for dir in directories {
@@ -209,6 +220,26 @@ fn discover_instruction_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
     Ok(dedupe_instruction_files(files))
 }
 
+fn discover_memory_files(cwd: &Path) -> std::io::Result<Vec<ContextFile>> {
+    let mut files = Vec::new();
+    for dir in discover_context_directories(cwd) {
+        let memory_dir = dir.join(".claude").join("memory");
+        let Ok(entries) = fs::read_dir(&memory_dir) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let mut paths = entries
+            .flatten()
+            .map(|entry| entry.path())
+            .filter(|path| path.is_file())
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        paths.sort();
+        for path in paths {
+            push_context_file(&mut files, path)?;
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(dedupe_instruction_files(files))
+}
+
 fn push_context_file(files: &mut Vec<ContextFile>, path: PathBuf) -> std::io::Result<()> {
     match fs::read_to_string(&path) {
         Ok(content) if !content.trim().is_empty() => {
@@ -251,6 +282,12 @@ fn render_project_context(project_context: &ProjectContext) -> String {
             project_context.instruction_files.len()
         ));
     }
+    if !project_context.memory_files.is_empty() {
+        bullets.push(format!(
+            "Project memory files discovered: {}.",
+            project_context.memory_files.len()
+        ));
+    }
     lines.extend(prepend_bullets(bullets));
     if let Some(status) = &project_context.git_status {
         lines.push(String::new());
@@ -261,7 +298,15 @@ fn render_project_context(project_context: &ProjectContext) -> String {
 }
 
 fn render_instruction_files(files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
-    let mut sections = vec!["# Claude instructions".to_string()];
+    render_context_file_section("# Claude instructions", files)
+}
+
+fn render_memory_files(files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
+    render_context_file_section("# Project memory", files)
+}
+
+fn render_context_file_section(title: &str, files: &[ContextFile]) -> String {
+    let mut sections = vec![title.to_string()];
     let mut remaining_chars = MAX_TOTAL_INSTRUCTION_CHARS;
     for file in files {
         if remaining_chars == 0 {
@@ -453,8 +498,9 @@ fn get_actions_section() -> String {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         collapse_blank_lines, display_context_path, normalize_instruction_content,
-        render_instruction_content, render_instruction_files, truncate_instruction_content,
+        render_instruction_content, render_instruction_files, render_memory_files,
-        ContextFile, ProjectContext, SystemPromptBuilder, SYSTEM_PROMPT_DYNAMIC_BOUNDARY,
+        truncate_instruction_content, ContextFile, ProjectContext, SystemPromptBuilder,
+        SYSTEM_PROMPT_DYNAMIC_BOUNDARY,
     };
     use crate::config::ConfigLoader;
     use std::fs;
@@ -519,6 +565,35 @@ mod tests {
         fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn discovers_project_memory_files_from_ancestor_chain() {
+        let root = temp_dir();
+        let nested = root.join("apps").join("api");
+        fs::create_dir_all(root.join(".claude").join("memory")).expect("root memory dir");
+        fs::create_dir_all(nested.join(".claude").join("memory")).expect("nested memory dir");
+        fs::write(
+            root.join(".claude").join("memory").join("2026-03-30.md"),
+            "root memory",
+        )
+        .expect("write root memory");
+        fs::write(
+            nested.join(".claude").join("memory").join("2026-03-31.md"),
+            "nested memory",
+        )
+        .expect("write nested memory");
+
+        let context = ProjectContext::discover(&nested, "2026-03-31").expect("context should load");
+        let contents = context
+            .memory_files
+            .iter()
+            .map(|file| file.content.as_str())
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        assert_eq!(contents, vec!["root memory", "nested memory"]);
+        assert!(render_memory_files(&context.memory_files).contains("# Project memory"));
+        fs::remove_dir_all(root).expect("cleanup temp dir");
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn dedupes_identical_instruction_content_across_scopes() {
         let root = temp_dir();

rust/crates/runtime/src/session.rs

@@ -39,19 +39,10 @@ pub struct ConversationMessage {
     pub usage: Option<TokenUsage>,
 }
 
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
-pub struct SessionMetadata {
-    pub started_at: String,
-    pub model: String,
-    pub message_count: u32,
-    pub last_prompt: Option<String>,
-}
-
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub struct Session {
     pub version: u32,
     pub messages: Vec<ConversationMessage>,
-    pub metadata: Option<SessionMetadata>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
@@ -91,7 +82,6 @@ impl Session {
         Self {
             version: 1,
             messages: Vec::new(),
-            metadata: None,
         }
     }
 
@@ -121,9 +111,6 @@ impl Session {
                     .collect(),
             ),
         );
-        if let Some(metadata) = &self.metadata {
-            object.insert("metadata".to_string(), metadata.to_json());
-        }
         JsonValue::Object(object)
     }
 
@@ -144,15 +131,7 @@ impl Session {
             .iter()
             .map(ConversationMessage::from_json)
             .collect::<Result<Vec<_>, _>>()?;
-        let metadata = object
+        Ok(Self { version, messages })
-            .get("metadata")
-            .map(SessionMetadata::from_json)
-            .transpose()?;
-        Ok(Self {
-            version,
-            messages,
-            metadata,
-        })
     }
 }
 
@@ -162,41 +141,6 @@ impl Default for Session {
     }
 }
 
-impl SessionMetadata {
-    #[must_use]
-    pub fn to_json(&self) -> JsonValue {
-        let mut object = BTreeMap::new();
-        object.insert(
-            "started_at".to_string(),
-            JsonValue::String(self.started_at.clone()),
-        );
-        object.insert("model".to_string(), JsonValue::String(self.model.clone()));
-        object.insert(
-            "message_count".to_string(),
-            JsonValue::Number(i64::from(self.message_count)),
-        );
-        if let Some(last_prompt) = &self.last_prompt {
-            object.insert(
-                "last_prompt".to_string(),
-                JsonValue::String(last_prompt.clone()),
-            );
-        }
-        JsonValue::Object(object)
-    }
-
-    fn from_json(value: &JsonValue) -> Result<Self, SessionError> {
-        let object = value.as_object().ok_or_else(|| {
-            SessionError::Format("session metadata must be an object".to_string())
-        })?;
-        Ok(Self {
-            started_at: required_string(object, "started_at")?,
-            model: required_string(object, "model")?,
-            message_count: required_u32(object, "message_count")?,
-            last_prompt: optional_string(object, "last_prompt"),
-        })
-    }
-}
-
 impl ConversationMessage {
     #[must_use]
     pub fn user_text(text: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
@@ -424,13 +368,6 @@ fn required_string(
         .ok_or_else(|| SessionError::Format(format!("missing {key}")))
 }
 
-fn optional_string(object: &BTreeMap<String, JsonValue>, key: &str) -> Option<String> {
-    object
-        .get(key)
-        .and_then(JsonValue::as_str)
-        .map(ToOwned::to_owned)
-}
-
 fn required_u32(object: &BTreeMap<String, JsonValue>, key: &str) -> Result<u32, SessionError> {
     let value = object
         .get(key)
@@ -441,8 +378,7 @@ fn required_u32(object: &BTreeMap<String, JsonValue>, key: &str) -> Result<u32,
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session, SessionMetadata};
+    use super::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, Session};
-    use crate::json::JsonValue;
     use crate::usage::TokenUsage;
     use std::fs;
     use std::time::{SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
@@ -450,12 +386,6 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn persists_and_restores_session_json() {
         let mut session = Session::new();
-        session.metadata = Some(SessionMetadata {
-            started_at: "2026-04-01T00:00:00Z".to_string(),
-            model: "claude-sonnet".to_string(),
-            message_count: 3,
-            last_prompt: Some("hello".to_string()),
-        });
         session
             .messages
             .push(ConversationMessage::user_text("hello"));
@@ -498,23 +428,5 @@ mod tests {
             restored.messages[1].usage.expect("usage").total_tokens(),
             17
         );
-        assert_eq!(restored.metadata, session.metadata);
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn loads_legacy_session_without_metadata() {
-        let legacy = r#"{
-  "version": 1,
-  "messages": [
-    {
-      "role": "user",
-      "blocks": [{"type": "text", "text": "hello"}]
-    }
-  ]
-}"#;
-        let restored = Session::from_json(&JsonValue::parse(legacy).expect("legacy json"))
-            .expect("legacy session should parse");
-        assert_eq!(restored.messages.len(), 1);
-        assert!(restored.metadata.is_none());
     }
 }

rust/crates/runtime/src/usage.rs

@@ -300,7 +300,6 @@ mod tests {
                     cache_read_input_tokens: 0,
                 }),
             }],
-            metadata: None,
         };
 
         let tracker = UsageTracker::from_session(&session);

rust/crates/rusty-claude-cli/src/main.rs

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ use runtime::{
     AssistantEvent, CompactionConfig, ConfigLoader, ConfigSource, ContentBlock,
     ConversationMessage, ConversationRuntime, MessageRole, OAuthAuthorizationRequest,
     OAuthTokenExchangeRequest, PermissionMode, PermissionPolicy, ProjectContext, RuntimeError,
-    Session, SessionMetadata, TokenUsage, ToolError, ToolExecutor, UsageTracker,
+    Session, TokenUsage, ToolError, ToolExecutor, UsageTracker,
 };
 use serde_json::json;
 use tools::{execute_tool, mvp_tool_specs, ToolSpec};
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@ const DEFAULT_MAX_TOKENS: u32 = 32;
 const DEFAULT_DATE: &str = "2026-03-31";
 const DEFAULT_OAUTH_CALLBACK_PORT: u16 = 4545;
 const VERSION: &str = env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION");
-const OLD_SESSION_COMPACTION_AGE_SECS: u64 = 60 * 60 * 24;
 const BUILD_TARGET: Option<&str> = option_env!("TARGET");
 const GIT_SHA: Option<&str> = option_env!("GIT_SHA");
 
@@ -536,14 +535,7 @@ fn print_version() {
 }
 
 fn resume_session(session_path: &Path, commands: &[String]) {
-    let handle = match resolve_session_reference(&session_path.display().to_string()) {
+    let session = match Session::load_from_path(session_path) {
-        Ok(handle) => handle,
-        Err(error) => {
-            eprintln!("failed to resolve session: {error}");
-            std::process::exit(1);
-        }
-    };
-    let session = match Session::load_from_path(&handle.path) {
         Ok(session) => session,
         Err(error) => {
             eprintln!("failed to restore session: {error}");
@@ -554,7 +546,7 @@ fn resume_session(session_path: &Path, commands: &[String]) {
     if commands.is_empty() {
         println!(
             "Restored session from {} ({} messages).",
-            handle.path.display(),
+            session_path.display(),
             session.messages.len()
         );
         return;
@@ -566,7 +558,7 @@ fn resume_session(session_path: &Path, commands: &[String]) {
             eprintln!("unsupported resumed command: {raw_command}");
             std::process::exit(2);
         };
-        match run_resume_command(&handle.path, &session, &command) {
+        match run_resume_command(session_path, &session, &command) {
             Ok(ResumeCommandOutcome {
                 session: next_session,
                 message,
@@ -891,7 +883,6 @@ fn run_resume_command(
         | SlashCommand::Model { .. }
         | SlashCommand::Permissions { .. }
         | SlashCommand::Session { .. }
-        | SlashCommand::Sessions
         | SlashCommand::Unknown(_) => Err("unsupported resumed slash command".into()),
     }
 }
@@ -948,9 +939,6 @@ struct ManagedSessionSummary {
     path: PathBuf,
     modified_epoch_secs: u64,
     message_count: usize,
-    model: Option<String>,
-    started_at: Option<String>,
-    last_prompt: Option<String>,
 }
 
 struct LiveCli {
@@ -971,7 +959,6 @@ impl LiveCli {
     ) -> Result<Self, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
         let system_prompt = build_system_prompt()?;
         let session = create_managed_session_handle()?;
-        auto_compact_inactive_sessions(&session.id)?;
         let runtime = build_runtime(
             Session::new(),
             model.clone(),
@@ -1143,10 +1130,6 @@ impl LiveCli {
             SlashCommand::Session { action, target } => {
                 self.handle_session_command(action.as_deref(), target.as_deref())?
             }
-            SlashCommand::Sessions => {
-                println!("{}", render_session_list(&self.session.id)?);
-                false
-            }
             SlashCommand::Unknown(name) => {
                 eprintln!("unknown slash command: /{name}");
                 false
@@ -1155,10 +1138,7 @@ impl LiveCli {
     }
 
     fn persist_session(&self) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
-        let mut session = self.runtime.session().clone();
+        self.runtime.session().save_to_path(&self.session.path)?;
-        session.metadata = Some(derive_session_metadata(&session, &self.model));
-        session.save_to_path(&self.session.path)?;
-        auto_compact_inactive_sessions(&self.session.id)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -1303,20 +1283,13 @@ impl LiveCli {
         session_path: Option<String>,
     ) -> Result<bool, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
         let Some(session_ref) = session_path else {
-            println!("Usage: /resume <session-id-or-path>");
+            println!("Usage: /resume <session-path>");
             return Ok(false);
         };
 
         let handle = resolve_session_reference(&session_ref)?;
         let session = Session::load_from_path(&handle.path)?;
         let message_count = session.messages.len();
-        if let Some(model) = session
-            .metadata
-            .as_ref()
-            .map(|metadata| metadata.model.clone())
-        {
-            self.model = model;
-        }
         self.runtime = build_runtime(
             session,
             self.model.clone(),
@@ -1393,13 +1366,6 @@ impl LiveCli {
                 let handle = resolve_session_reference(target)?;
                 let session = Session::load_from_path(&handle.path)?;
                 let message_count = session.messages.len();
-                if let Some(model) = session
-                    .metadata
-                    .as_ref()
-                    .map(|metadata| metadata.model.clone())
-                {
-                    self.model = model;
-                }
                 self.runtime = build_runtime(
                     session,
                     self.model.clone(),
@@ -1444,10 +1410,8 @@ impl LiveCli {
 }
 
 fn sessions_dir() -> Result<PathBuf, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
-    let home = env::var_os("HOME")
+    let cwd = env::current_dir()?;
-        .map(PathBuf::from)
+    let path = cwd.join(".claude").join("sessions");
-        .ok_or_else(|| io::Error::new(io::ErrorKind::NotFound, "HOME is not set"))?;
-    let path = home.join(".claude").join("sessions");
     fs::create_dir_all(&path)?;
     Ok(path)
 }
@@ -1468,19 +1432,8 @@ fn generate_session_id() -> String {
 
 fn resolve_session_reference(reference: &str) -> Result<SessionHandle, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let direct = PathBuf::from(reference);
-    let expanded = if let Some(stripped) = reference.strip_prefix("~/") {
-        sessions_dir()?
-            .parent()
-            .and_then(|claude| claude.parent())
-            .map(|home| home.join(stripped))
-            .unwrap_or(direct.clone())
-    } else {
-        direct.clone()
-    };
     let path = if direct.exists() {
         direct
-    } else if expanded.exists() {
-        expanded
     } else {
         sessions_dir()?.join(format!("{reference}.json"))
     };
@@ -1510,11 +1463,9 @@ fn list_managed_sessions() -> Result<Vec<ManagedSessionSummary>, Box<dyn std::er
             .and_then(|time| time.duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH).ok())
             .map(|duration| duration.as_secs())
             .unwrap_or_default();
-        let session = Session::load_from_path(&path).ok();
+        let message_count = Session::load_from_path(&path)
-        let derived_message_count = session.as_ref().map_or(0, |session| session.messages.len());
+            .map(|session| session.messages.len())
-        let stored = session
+            .unwrap_or_default();
-            .as_ref()
-            .and_then(|session| session.metadata.as_ref());
         let id = path
             .file_stem()
             .and_then(|value| value.to_str())
@@ -1524,12 +1475,7 @@ fn list_managed_sessions() -> Result<Vec<ManagedSessionSummary>, Box<dyn std::er
             id,
             path,
             modified_epoch_secs,
-            message_count: stored.map_or(derived_message_count, |metadata| {
+            message_count,
-                metadata.message_count as usize
-            }),
-            model: stored.map(|metadata| metadata.model.clone()),
-            started_at: stored.map(|metadata| metadata.started_at.clone()),
-            last_prompt: stored.and_then(|metadata| metadata.last_prompt.clone()),
         });
     }
     sessions.sort_by(|left, right| right.modified_epoch_secs.cmp(&left.modified_epoch_secs));
@@ -1552,99 +1498,17 @@ fn render_session_list(active_session_id: &str) -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::e
         } else {
             "○ saved"
         };
-        let model = session.model.as_deref().unwrap_or("unknown");
-        let started = session.started_at.as_deref().unwrap_or("unknown");
-        let last_prompt = session.last_prompt.as_deref().map_or_else(
-            || "-".to_string(),
-            |prompt| truncate_for_summary(prompt, 36),
-        );
         lines.push(format!(
-            "  {id:<20} {marker:<10} msgs={msgs:<4} model={model:<24} started={started} modified={modified} last={last_prompt} path={path}",
+            "  {id:<20} {marker:<10} msgs={msgs:<4} modified={modified} path={path}",
             id = session.id,
             msgs = session.message_count,
-            model = model,
-            started = started,
             modified = session.modified_epoch_secs,
-            last_prompt = last_prompt,
             path = session.path.display(),
         ));
     }
     Ok(lines.join("\n"))
 }
 
-fn current_epoch_secs() -> u64 {
-    SystemTime::now()
-        .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
-        .map(|duration| duration.as_secs())
-        .unwrap_or_default()
-}
-
-fn current_timestamp_rfc3339ish() -> String {
-    format!("{}Z", current_epoch_secs())
-}
-
-fn last_prompt_from_session(session: &Session) -> Option<String> {
-    session
-        .messages
-        .iter()
-        .rev()
-        .find(|message| message.role == MessageRole::User)
-        .and_then(|message| {
-            message.blocks.iter().find_map(|block| match block {
-                ContentBlock::Text { text } => Some(text.trim().to_string()),
-                _ => None,
-            })
-        })
-        .filter(|text| !text.is_empty())
-}
-
-fn derive_session_metadata(session: &Session, model: &str) -> SessionMetadata {
-    let started_at = session
-        .metadata
-        .as_ref()
-        .map_or_else(current_timestamp_rfc3339ish, |metadata| {
-            metadata.started_at.clone()
-        });
-    SessionMetadata {
-        started_at,
-        model: model.to_string(),
-        message_count: session.messages.len().try_into().unwrap_or(u32::MAX),
-        last_prompt: last_prompt_from_session(session),
-    }
-}
-
-fn session_age_secs(modified_epoch_secs: u64) -> u64 {
-    current_epoch_secs().saturating_sub(modified_epoch_secs)
-}
-
-fn auto_compact_inactive_sessions(
-    active_session_id: &str,
-) -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
-    for summary in list_managed_sessions()? {
-        if summary.id == active_session_id
-            || session_age_secs(summary.modified_epoch_secs) < OLD_SESSION_COMPACTION_AGE_SECS
-        {
-            continue;
-        }
-        let path = summary.path.clone();
-        let Ok(session) = Session::load_from_path(&path) else {
-            continue;
-        };
-        if !runtime::should_compact(&session, CompactionConfig::default()) {
-            continue;
-        }
-        let mut compacted =
-            runtime::compact_session(&session, CompactionConfig::default()).compacted_session;
-        let model = compacted.metadata.as_ref().map_or_else(
-            || DEFAULT_MODEL.to_string(),
-            |metadata| metadata.model.clone(),
-        );
-        compacted.metadata = Some(derive_session_metadata(&compacted, &model));
-        compacted.save_to_path(&path)?;
-    }
-    Ok(())
-}
-
 fn render_repl_help() -> String {
     [
         "REPL".to_string(),
@@ -1678,7 +1542,8 @@ fn status_context(
         session_path: session_path.map(Path::to_path_buf),
         loaded_config_files: runtime_config.loaded_entries().len(),
         discovered_config_files,
-        memory_file_count: project_context.instruction_files.len(),
+        memory_file_count: project_context.instruction_files.len()
+            + project_context.memory_files.len(),
         project_root,
         git_branch,
     })
@@ -1823,39 +1688,58 @@ fn render_memory_report() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let mut lines = vec![format!(
         "Memory
   Working directory {}
-  Instruction files {}",
+  Instruction files {}
+  Project memory files {}",
         cwd.display(),
-        project_context.instruction_files.len()
+        project_context.instruction_files.len(),
+        project_context.memory_files.len()
     )];
-    if project_context.instruction_files.is_empty() {
+    append_memory_section(
-        lines.push("Discovered files".to_string());
+        &mut lines,
-        lines.push(
+        "Instruction files",
-            "  No CLAUDE instruction files discovered in the current directory ancestry."
+        &project_context.instruction_files,
-                .to_string(),
+        "No CLAUDE instruction files discovered in the current directory ancestry.",
-        );
+    );
-    } else {
+    append_memory_section(
-        lines.push("Discovered files".to_string());
+        &mut lines,
-        for (index, file) in project_context.instruction_files.iter().enumerate() {
+        "Project memory files",
-            let preview = file.content.lines().next().unwrap_or("").trim();
+        &project_context.memory_files,
-            let preview = if preview.is_empty() {
+        "No persisted project memory files discovered in .claude/memory.",
-                "<empty>"
+    );
-            } else {
-                preview
-            };
-            lines.push(format!("  {}. {}", index + 1, file.path.display(),));
-            lines.push(format!(
-                "     lines={} preview={}",
-                file.content.lines().count(),
-                preview
-            ));
-        }
-    }
     Ok(lines.join(
         "
 ",
     ))
 }
 
+fn append_memory_section(
+    lines: &mut Vec<String>,
+    title: &str,
+    files: &[runtime::ContextFile],
+    empty_message: &str,
+) {
+    lines.push(title.to_string());
+    if files.is_empty() {
+        lines.push(format!("  {empty_message}"));
+        return;
+    }
+
+    for (index, file) in files.iter().enumerate() {
+        let preview = file.content.lines().next().unwrap_or("").trim();
+        let preview = if preview.is_empty() {
+            "<empty>"
+        } else {
+            preview
+        };
+        lines.push(format!("  {}. {}", index + 1, file.path.display()));
+        lines.push(format!(
+            "     lines={} preview={}",
+            file.content.lines().count(),
+            preview
+        ));
+    }
+}
+
 fn init_claude_md() -> Result<String, Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     let cwd = env::current_dir()?;
     let claude_md = cwd.join("CLAUDE.md");
@@ -2525,73 +2409,17 @@ fn print_help() {
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::{
-        derive_session_metadata, filter_tool_specs, format_compact_report, format_cost_report,
+        filter_tool_specs, format_compact_report, format_cost_report, format_init_report,
-        format_init_report, format_model_report, format_model_switch_report,
+        format_model_report, format_model_switch_report, format_permissions_report,
-        format_permissions_report, format_permissions_switch_report, format_resume_report,
+        format_permissions_switch_report, format_resume_report, format_status_report,
-        format_status_report, format_tool_call_start, format_tool_result, list_managed_sessions,
+        format_tool_call_start, format_tool_result, normalize_permission_mode, parse_args,
-        normalize_permission_mode, parse_args, parse_git_status_metadata, render_config_report,
+        parse_git_status_metadata, render_config_report, render_init_claude_md,
-        render_init_claude_md, render_memory_report, render_repl_help,
+        render_memory_report, render_repl_help, resume_supported_slash_commands, status_context,
-        resume_supported_slash_commands, sessions_dir, status_context, CliAction, CliOutputFormat,
+        CliAction, CliOutputFormat, SlashCommand, StatusUsage, DEFAULT_MODEL,
-        SlashCommand, StatusUsage, DEFAULT_MODEL,
     };
-    use runtime::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, PermissionMode, Session};
+    use runtime::{ContentBlock, ConversationMessage, MessageRole, PermissionMode};
-    use std::fs;
     use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
-    #[test]
-    fn derive_session_metadata_recomputes_prompt_and_count() {
-        let mut session = Session::new();
-        session
-            .messages
-            .push(ConversationMessage::user_text("first prompt"));
-        session
-            .messages
-            .push(ConversationMessage::assistant(vec![ContentBlock::Text {
-                text: "reply".to_string(),
-            }]));
-        let metadata = derive_session_metadata(&session, "claude-test");
-        assert_eq!(metadata.model, "claude-test");
-        assert_eq!(metadata.message_count, 2);
-        assert_eq!(metadata.last_prompt.as_deref(), Some("first prompt"));
-        assert!(metadata.started_at.ends_with('Z'));
-    }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn managed_sessions_use_home_directory_and_list_metadata() {
-        let temp =
-            std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("rusty-claude-cli-home-{}", std::process::id()));
-        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&temp);
-        fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp home should exist");
-        let previous_home = std::env::var_os("HOME");
-        std::env::set_var("HOME", &temp);
-
-        let dir = sessions_dir().expect("sessions dir");
-        assert_eq!(dir, temp.join(".claude").join("sessions"));
-
-        let mut session = Session::new();
-        session
-            .messages
-            .push(ConversationMessage::user_text("persist me"));
-        session.metadata = Some(derive_session_metadata(&session, "claude-home"));
-        let file = dir.join("session-test.json");
-        session.save_to_path(&file).expect("session save");
-
-        let listed = list_managed_sessions().expect("session list");
-        let found = listed
-            .into_iter()
-            .find(|entry| entry.id == "session-test")
-            .expect("saved session should be listed");
-        assert_eq!(found.message_count, 1);
-        assert_eq!(found.model.as_deref(), Some("claude-home"));
-        assert_eq!(found.last_prompt.as_deref(), Some("persist me"));
-
-        fs::remove_file(file).ok();
-        if let Some(previous_home) = previous_home {
-            std::env::set_var("HOME", previous_home);
-        }
-        fs::remove_dir_all(temp).ok();
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn defaults_to_repl_when_no_args() {
         assert_eq!(
@@ -2797,8 +2625,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(help.contains("/permissions [read-only|workspace-write|danger-full-access]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/clear [--confirm]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/cost"));
-        assert!(help.contains("/resume <session-id-or-path>"));
+        assert!(help.contains("/resume <session-path>"));
-        assert!(help.contains("/sessions"));
         assert!(help.contains("/config [env|hooks|model]"));
         assert!(help.contains("/memory"));
         assert!(help.contains("/init"));
@@ -2965,7 +2792,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(report.contains("Memory"));
         assert!(report.contains("Working directory"));
         assert!(report.contains("Instruction files"));
-        assert!(report.contains("Discovered files"));
+        assert!(report.contains("Project memory files"));
     }
 
     #[test]

rust/crates/tools/src/lib.rs

@@ -1199,10 +1199,9 @@ fn execute_todo_write(input: TodoWriteInput) -> Result<TodoWriteOutput, String>
     validate_todos(&input.todos)?;
     let store_path = todo_store_path()?;
     let old_todos = if store_path.exists() {
-        serde_json::from_str::<Vec<TodoItem>>(
+        parse_todo_markdown(
             &std::fs::read_to_string(&store_path).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?,
-        )
+        )?
-        .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?
     } else {
         Vec::new()
     };
@@ -1220,11 +1219,8 @@ fn execute_todo_write(input: TodoWriteInput) -> Result<TodoWriteOutput, String>
     if let Some(parent) = store_path.parent() {
         std::fs::create_dir_all(parent).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
     }
-    std::fs::write(
+    std::fs::write(&store_path, render_todo_markdown(&persisted))
-        &store_path,
+        .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
-        serde_json::to_string_pretty(&persisted).map_err(|error| error.to_string())?,
-    )
-    .map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
 
     let verification_nudge_needed = (all_done
         && input.todos.len() >= 3
@@ -1282,7 +1278,58 @@ fn todo_store_path() -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
         return Ok(std::path::PathBuf::from(path));
     }
     let cwd = std::env::current_dir().map_err(|error| error.to_string())?;
-    Ok(cwd.join(".clawd-todos.json"))
+    Ok(cwd.join(".claude").join("todos.md"))
+}
+
+fn render_todo_markdown(todos: &[TodoItem]) -> String {
+    let mut lines = vec!["# Todo list".to_string(), String::new()];
+    for todo in todos {
+        let marker = match todo.status {
+            TodoStatus::Pending => "[ ]",
+            TodoStatus::InProgress => "[~]",
+            TodoStatus::Completed => "[x]",
+        };
+        lines.push(format!(
+            "- {marker} {} :: {}",
+            todo.content, todo.active_form
+        ));
+    }
+    lines.push(String::new());
+    lines.join("\n")
+}
+
+fn parse_todo_markdown(content: &str) -> Result<Vec<TodoItem>, String> {
+    let mut todos = Vec::new();
+    for line in content.lines() {
+        let trimmed = line.trim();
+        if trimmed.is_empty() || trimmed.starts_with('#') {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let Some(rest) = trimmed.strip_prefix("- [") else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let mut chars = rest.chars();
+        let status = match chars.next() {
+            Some(' ') => TodoStatus::Pending,
+            Some('~') => TodoStatus::InProgress,
+            Some('x' | 'X') => TodoStatus::Completed,
+            Some(other) => return Err(format!("unsupported todo status marker: {other}")),
+            None => return Err(String::from("malformed todo line")),
+        };
+        let remainder = chars.as_str();
+        let Some(body) = remainder.strip_prefix("] ") else {
+            return Err(String::from("malformed todo line"));
+        };
+        let Some((content, active_form)) = body.split_once(" :: ") else {
+            return Err(String::from("todo line missing active form separator"));
+        };
+        todos.push(TodoItem {
+            content: content.trim().to_string(),
+            active_form: active_form.trim().to_string(),
+            status,
+        });
+    }
+    Ok(todos)
 }
 
 fn resolve_skill_path(skill: &str) -> Result<std::path::PathBuf, String> {
@@ -2638,6 +2685,37 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(second_output["verificationNudgeNeeded"].is_null());
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn todo_write_persists_markdown_in_claude_directory() {
+        let _guard = env_lock()
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap_or_else(std::sync::PoisonError::into_inner);
+        let temp = temp_path("todos-md-dir");
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&temp).expect("temp dir");
+        let previous = std::env::current_dir().expect("cwd");
+        std::env::set_current_dir(&temp).expect("set cwd");
+
+        execute_tool(
+            "TodoWrite",
+            &json!({
+                "todos": [
+                    {"content": "Add tool", "activeForm": "Adding tool", "status": "in_progress"},
+                    {"content": "Run tests", "activeForm": "Running tests", "status": "pending"}
+                ]
+            }),
+        )
+        .expect("TodoWrite should succeed");
+
+        let persisted = std::fs::read_to_string(temp.join(".claude").join("todos.md"))
+            .expect("todo markdown exists");
+        std::env::set_current_dir(previous).expect("restore cwd");
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(temp);
+
+        assert!(persisted.contains("# Todo list"));
+        assert!(persisted.contains("- [~] Add tool :: Adding tool"));
+        assert!(persisted.contains("- [ ] Run tests :: Running tests"));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn todo_write_rejects_invalid_payloads_and_sets_verification_nudge() {
         let _guard = env_lock()