Gemini CLI persists durable facts, user preferences, and project details by editing Markdown memory files directly.
The agent routes memories to the appropriate Markdown file: shared project
instructions go in repository GEMINI.md files, private project notes go in the
per-project private memory folder, and cross-project personal preferences go in
the global ~/.gemini/GEMINI.md file.
- Storage: Edits Markdown files with
write_fileorreplace. - Loading: The stored facts are automatically included in the hierarchical context system for all future sessions.
- Format: Keeps durable instructions concise and avoids duplicating the same fact across multiple memory tiers.
- Persisting user preferences (for example, "I prefer functional programming").
- Saving project-wide architectural decisions.
- Storing frequently used aliases or system configurations.
- Follow the Memory management guide for practical examples.
- Learn how the Project context (GEMINI.md) system loads this information.