Project activation

[tomelgato]

Im not sure if we (claude and me) are missing something or if this would be a feature request. Im testing currently with Claude Desktop.
My problem is to tell Claude what memories to read.

Claude told me:
The core problem: The session_startup memory says it should be read first when SF2 activates, but Serena doesn't automatically trigger memory reads on project activation — the LLM only does this if it's explicitly reminded.

So my solution was to create a startup memory which i activate with the prompt "startup". This works quite well.

If it is like that wouldnt it be a good idea if Serena would tell the LLM to read a special startup memory after project activation ?

P.S. using Sonnet 4.6

[MischaPanch]

I don't think it's necessary. If you tell an agent to read a memory after startup, it will do so. No need to force it

[tomelgato]

Yes but i have to tell it in a second prompt. It would be just a convenience factor i know ;)

[opcode81]

Just add initial instructions to your project config (project.yml). If you always want the LLM to read the session_startup memory, add something like this:

initial_prompt: |
  Always read the memory 'session_startup' before working on the project.

EDIT: Fixed wrong key.

[tomelgato]

Oh yeah, that looks good. Did overlook that option

[tomelgato]

It is really strange. I am editing around a long time already and it doesnt work most of the time.

I had it one time working and then it stopped again.

I tried with

`initial_prompt: "Always read the memory 'session_startup' before working on the project."

initial_instructions:"Always read the memory 'session_startup' before working on the project."

initial_instructions: |
   Always read the memory 'session_startup' before working on the project.`

Got it working again. Did not change anything, just restated Claude and Serena and it stopped working again

Here from the last time it was working:

Use the read_memory tool to read these memories later if they are relevant to the task. Additional project-specific instructions: Always read the memory 'session_startup' before working on the project. IMPORTANT: If you have not yet read the 'Serena Instructions Manual', do it now before continuing!

When it doesnt work it doesnt appear in the logs, so it seems to be not on Claude side ignoring it

[tomelgato]

Update. Right now its working on 2 machines. I keep an eye on it

the initial_prompt: "..." seems to work now, it is shown in the activate response as follow:

Additional project-specific instructions:
 TRIGGER: project activated → READ session_startup → EXECUTE all phases immediately → Output orientation report → THEN await user input. No exceptions.

[opcode81]

Yes, sorry, initial_prompt is the right key.
I was typing the response from memory and didn't remember it correctly.

Note that you should already have had the initial_prompt key in your project.yml (with empty value).
Every configuration item that exists is already there; you never need to add new ones.

[tomelgato]

perfect, thanks!