# How to teach Goose your knowledge

Use Goose’s [built-in Memory extension](https://www.knowman.io/guides/goose-memory) to store preferences, commands, and project-specific or global information that Goose can recall later ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)). For detailed instructions, [store them in a file](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context) and tell Goose to refer to it ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## Enable Goose Memory

In Goose Desktop, open the top-left button, select Extensions, then toggle Memory on. In Goose CLI, run `goose configure`, choose Toggle Extensions, then enable memory ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## Save project or general instructions

Goose stores project memories in `.goose/memory/` in the working directory. Global user memories live in `~/.config/goose/memory/` and apply across projects ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

Use Goose’s memory tools to save information with a category, optional tags, and local or global scope. You can ask Goose to learn material and save it, then ask it to remember those standards in later requests ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## Use files for detailed reference material

For long instructions, keep the material in a file and tell Goose to refer to and follow that file. Goose’s documentation gives an example of pointing it to [a notes file](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) for JavaScript help ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## Find or remove saved memories

Goose provides tools to [retrieve memories](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-agent-memory) by category, remove a category, or remove one memory by matching its content. The `*` category retrieves all memories or clears all memories, depending on the tool, so use it carefully ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## What Goose Memory stores

Goose’s Memory extension lets you teach it information such as commands, code snippets, preferences, and configurations for later recall ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)). Its memories can apply to a project or across projects ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## Start a session with saved memories

Goose loads [saved memories](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents) at the start of a session and includes them in prompts sent to the language model ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)). The guide says to open a new Goose Desktop session or run `goose session` in the CLI ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

To bring your [saved reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-article-saver) into Goose as well, [add the KnowMan MCP server to Goose](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/goose).

## Questions

### Can Goose remember different instructions for different projects?

Yes. Goose supports project-specific memories in `.goose/memory/` and global memories in `~/.config/goose/memory/` ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

### Can I give Goose a long reference document?

Store detailed instructions in a file and tell Goose to refer to and follow it. The Goose guide describes this approach for a notes file ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

### When does Goose load saved memories?

Goose loads all saved memories at the start of a session and includes them in prompts sent to the language model ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

### Can I enable Memory in Goose Desktop and CLI?

Yes. In Desktop, open Extensions and toggle Memory on. In the CLI, run `goose configure`, choose Toggle Extensions, and enable memory ([Goose Memory guide](https://goose-docs.ai/docs/mcp/memory-mcp/)).

## Related guides

- [Connect your knowledge base through KnowMan's MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base)

- [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context)

- [What Is a Knowledge Base for AI Agents?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents)

## More in this topic

- [How to teach Hermes Agent your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-hermes-your-knowledge)
- [How to teach JetBrains AI Assistant your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-jetbrains-your-knowledge)
- [How to teach Kilo Code your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-kilo-code-your-knowledge)

## More for Goose

- [KnowMan MCP server for Goose](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/goose)
- [How to give Goose better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/goose-memory)

## Keep your reading close

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Source: https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-goose-your-knowledge