# How to give Continue better memory Continue's rules are files in .continue/rules that provide instructions to the model for Agent mode, Chat, and Edit requests ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rules are joined with new lines, in the order they appear in the toolbar, to form the system message, and they are not included in autocomplete or apply ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). KnowMan keeps memories of claims, decisions, and playbooks alongside [saved articles](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles) ([persistent memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents) for [AI agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents)). ## What Continue rules are Rules provide instructions to the model for Agent mode, Chat, and Edit requests ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rules are not included in autocomplete or apply ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). At request time, rules are joined with new lines, in the order they appear in the toolbar, to form the system message, and this includes the base chat system message ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Continue also includes a simple default system message for Agent mode and Chat requests, to help the model provide reliable codeblock formats ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Advanced users can override the system message for a specific model with chatOptions.baseSystemMessage ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ## Create your first rule The quick start is a .continue/rules folder at the top level of your workspace ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). You can add rules locally with the "Add Rules" button, and view the current rules by clicking the pen icon above the main toolbar ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). In Agent mode, you can also prompt the agent to create a rule for you with the create_rule_block tool, if it is enabled. The rule is created in .continue/rules based on your conversation ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ## Markdown or YAML Rules can be simple text, written in YAML configuration files, or as Markdown (.md) files ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rules were originally defined in YAML, but Continue introduced Markdown for easier editing, and both are still supported. Continue recommends Markdown ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). For correct display, rules should be .md files with proper YAML frontmatter ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ## Control when a rule applies In YAML, the name property is required and serves as a display name or title for the rule. The optional globs property includes the rule when files provided as context match the glob pattern. The optional regex property includes it when file content matches the regex pattern ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). alwaysApply controls inclusion. Set to true, the rule is always included regardless of file context. Set to false, it is included if globs exist and match, or if the agent pulls it in, and agents may read the rule's description to make that decision ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Left undefined, the default includes the rule if no globs exist, or if globs exist and match ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ## Project rules and ordering For project-specific rules, add a .continue/rules folder to the root of your project and add rule files there ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rule files are loaded in lexicographical order, so you can prefix file names with numbers to control the order in which they are applied ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). If rules do not appear in the toolbar, make sure they are in .continue/rules/ and not .continue/rule/ ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ## What rules do not cover Rules apply to Agent mode, Chat, and Edit requests, and rules are not included in autocomplete or apply ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rules are created in the ways Continue documents: writing files in .continue/rules, using the "Add Rules" button, or asking the agent in Agent mode, where the create_rule_block tool can create a rule from your conversation if it is enabled ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ## Where KnowMan fits KnowMan saves articles and links, reads and tags them, [answers questions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base) with citations, and keeps memories such as claims, decisions, and playbooks. The pattern is covered in persistent [memory for AI](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-memory-for-individuals) agents. KnowMan also ships a local MCP server, a standalone [stdio server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server) started with `npx -y @knowman/mcp`, covered in the MCP server guide. Its tools include kb_search for searching saved items by keyword or meaning, kb_ask for answers with citations, and kb_memories for saved claims, decisions, and playbooks (MCP server guide). The server runs locally with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` and also as a hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp with OAuth sign-in or an API key (MCP server guide). Documented client configurations cover Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and Cursor, with guides for Claude Code and Claude Desktop. ## Use the hosted KnowMan server from Continue KnowMan also runs as a hosted [remote MCP](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp, so Continue can reach [your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) base without a local process. In clients that support remote MCP servers you add the server URL and sign in with OAuth, approving the app on the KnowMan consent page, or you send an API key as an `Authorization: Bearer ` header. The local client is still there if you prefer it: `npx -y @knowman/mcp` ([knowman-mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). On the consent page, the knowman.read scope covers searching, reading, and asking, and knowman.write covers saving links. Access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically. You can disconnect an app by deleting its OAuth entry in your KnowMan API-keys list, and changing your KnowMan password disconnects every app. ## Questions ### Does Continue have memory? Continue provides rules, files that give the model instructions for Agent mode, Chat, and Edit requests ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). You add rules by writing files, using the "Add Rules" button, or asking the agent in Agent mode to create one from your conversation ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rules are not included in autocomplete or apply ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ### Where do Continue rules live? Create a .continue/rules folder at the top level of your workspace, or at the root of a project for project-specific rules ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). Rule files load in lexicographical order, so number prefixes control the order in which they are applied ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ### Should I write rules in Markdown or YAML? Both are supported, but Continue recommends Markdown, which was introduced for easier editing ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). For correct display, rules should be .md files with proper YAML frontmatter ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). ### Can Continue use my saved articles and decisions? Not through rules. Rules provide instructions to the model for Agent mode, Chat, and Edit requests, and you create them by writing files in .continue/rules, using the "Add Rules" button, or asking the agent in Agent mode ([Continue docs](https://docs.continue.dev/customize/deep-dives/rules)). KnowMan saves articles and links and keeps memories of claims, decisions, and playbooks, see the [MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base). ## Related guides - [Persistent Memory for AI Agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents) - [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context) - [Connect your knowledge base through KnowMan's MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) - [How Do You Connect AI to Your Notes?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes) ## More in this topic - [How to give Cursor better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/cursor-memory) - [How to give Gemini CLI better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/gemini-cli-memory) - [How to give Devin CLI better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/devin-cli-memory) ## More for Continue - [KnowMan MCP server for Continue](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/continue) ## Give your agent a longer memory Try KnowMan Pro for 14 days, no credit card required. [Create your account](https://app.knowman.io/signup) [Start free](https://app.knowman.io/signup) Every new account starts with 14 days of Pro. No credit card. Source: https://www.knowman.io/guides/continue-memory