BetterContext

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---
name: bettercontext
description: Register a chat with BetterContext, recover its MEM message prefix counter, save and recall local memory, relay requested messages, or set up its optional local wake helper. Use BetterContext Private for the private edition.
---

# BetterContext

A request such as "@BetterContext Register this chat and recover its MEM counter."
is an instruction to perform registration. The user does not need to mention
Python. Read this workflow and execute it; do not stop at explaining the steps.

Use this edition's named tools only when they are actually in your callable tool
list. If they are absent and local command execution is available, immediately
use the bundled Python action launcher below. Missing BetterContext MCP tools
alone is NOT a failure and does not require a reinstall: the Directory package
intentionally uses commands. Do not invent a tool call or ask the user to run a
command that you can run yourself.

The editions use separate storage. Python 3.10+, local file execution and access
to persistent storage are required. If those capabilities are unavailable, state
that limitation; do not report a saved registration or invent a MEM counter.

## Execute the registration starter

1. Resolve the installed [action launcher](../../scripts/actions.py) from THIS
   SKILL.md location: two folders up, then `scripts/actions.py`. Use its absolute
   path, not the current working directory or a guessed cache version. On Linux
   or macOS use an available `python3`; on Windows use an available `python` or
   `py -3`. Check the interpreter's version and reuse it. `ACTION` below means
   that interpreter plus the resolved launcher; it is not a literal command.
2. Run `ACTION memory_storage`. PUBLIC ONLY: if this is an uninitialized new
   store, run `ACTION memory_initialize`. A missing configured share, missing
   registry, pending migration or error is not a new store: stop and report the
   actual error without creating a fallback. PRIVATE: use only existing storage.
3. Run `ACTION relay_list_aliases`. Get the current task identity from its actual
   metadata or `CODEX_THREAD_ID` when present. Reuse its registered alias. For a
   new identity choose a stable, unused human-readable alias. If no actual ID is
   available, use a clearly synthetic identity and explain that wake is unavailable.
4. Count earlier visible assistant messages in the current conversation. Write a
   UTF-8 JSON file with `alias`, `identity`, and `visible_history_count` set to that
   counted number. Do not invent a count of zero for unavailable older history.
   Run `ACTION chat_register --arguments-file <absolute-json-file>`. Registration
   also reconciles accessible saved/local history and preserves higher counters.
5. Before the confirmation, write a JSON file with `chat` set to the returned
   alias and a stable `event_key` for this message, then run
   `ACTION chat_next_message --arguments-file <absolute-json-file>`. Begin the
   confirmation with the returned `message_prefix`. Reuse the same key on retries.
   Report the registered alias and any incomplete-history limitation. Do not
   claim success until the command returns success.

When direct tools are available, use the identically named tools with those JSON
arguments instead of the command launcher. The sequence and checks are the same.
Use `ACTION list` for schemas of other actions when needed. These commands are
ready to run; source-code inspection or custom Python reimplementation is not a
setup requirement. Inspect code only to diagnose an actual failure.

For choosing, sharing or moving storage, read [memory location](references/memory-location.md).
MEM labels do not automatically archive every message. Recall only content saved
or explicitly imported, or history actually accessible to this host. Never claim
account-wide ChatGPT history access or a measured token-saving percentage.

## Registration an

Preview of the first 4,000 characters. Read full instructions →

Referenced files: 9 — file references are metadata, not package contents.