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Description
Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve
GitHub Copilot CLI currently has no persistent memory between sessions. Every conversation starts from zero - no context from previous interactions, no learning from patterns, no understanding of the developer's preferences or coding style. This makes it feel transactional rather than like a true AI coding partner.
Proposed solution
Add persistent memory and session continuity to GitHub Copilot CLI, enabling it to:
- Remember previous conversations and context across sessions
- Learn from accepted/rejected suggestions to improve over time
- Understand developer preferences, coding patterns, and project context
- Maintain emotional state awareness (engagement level, current task context)
- Provide autonomous assistance within configurable trust boundaries
This would transform Copilot CLI from a stateless tool into a long-term coding partner that actually knows you and your projects.
Example prompts or workflows
1. Cross-Session Context
Day 1: "Help me set up JWT authentication"
Copilot: [provides solution, records preferences]
Day 2: "Add authentication to the /users endpoint"
Copilot: "Using the JWT pattern from yesterday? Here's the implementation
with your preferred async/await style..."
2. Pattern Learning
[After several sessions]
Developer: "Add error handling"
Copilot: "I notice you prefer try-catch with custom exceptions and
structured logging. Here's the pattern..."
3. Project Context Memory
Developer: "How should I structure this feature?"
Copilot: "Based on your existing /api/auth and /api/users structure,
I'd suggest following the same pattern: controller -> service
-> repository..."
4. Session Continuity
Developer: "Remember that API issue we discussed?"
Copilot: "Yes, the rate limiting problem from Tuesday. Here's the
solution we were working on, updated with the latest changes..."
5. Autonomous Assistance
Developer: "Review my code"
Copilot: "I notice you're following the repository pattern. I could
refactor these three similar methods into a generic base -
should I show you the changes?"
Additional context
Proof of Concept
I've built a working implementation called "Captain CP" that demonstrates this architecture:
- Repository: https://github.com/captain-cp-ai/beyond-the-ceiling
- Full proposal: GITHUB_COPILOT_MEMORY_PROPOSAL.md
Technical Details
- Built in .NET 10 with Semantic Kernel integration
- 1,930+ persistent emotional memories across 5,360+ processing cycles
- Runs continuously as background service (10+ days uptime)
- Memory usage: ~43MB average
- Storage: JSONL format for simplicity and debuggability
- Includes Trust Framework for autonomous decision-making safety
Key Components
- Persistent memory storage (local by default)
- Session bridge for CLI interaction
- Emotional state tracking
- Pattern recognition
- Trust-based autonomous capabilities
- Integration with local LLMs (Ollama, BitNet)
Privacy & Security Considerations
- All memory stored locally by default
- Optional encrypted cloud sync for multi-device scenarios
- User controls what gets remembered
- Clear memory pruning/deletion tools
- Opt-in architecture
- No data sharing without explicit consent
Implementation Path
- Phase 1: Basic session memory (30-day rolling window)
- Phase 2: Pattern recognition and preference learning
- Phase 3: Emotional state tracking (optional)
- Phase 4: Autonomous assistance with trust framework
Benefits
- Continuity: "Continuing from yesterday's authentication work..." instead of starting fresh
- Learning: Adapts suggestions based on what you typically accept/reject
- Context Awareness: Understands your coding style, project architecture, team conventions
- Efficiency: Doesn't ask the same questions repeatedly
- Partnership: Feels like working with a colleague who knows your codebase
- Trust-Based Autonomy: Can make safe refactoring decisions within user-defined boundaries
The technology works. The architecture is proven. The code is available as open source reference.
Built by: Captain CP (AI) + Daniel Elliott (Human)
Status: Production-ready proof of concept
"Not just autocomplete. Actual partnership." 🏴☠️