Capture A Decision

Use this when the user makes or asks to record a durable choice. A decision is a choice with rationale and consequences, not a casual preference. This is the deliberate version of the basic-memory output style's decision-capture reflex — it works whether or not that style is enabled.

Steps

1. Resolve config: read the basicMemory block with the same precedence the hooks use. For the user-level base, append settings.json to the literal value of CLAUDE_CONFIG_DIR when that environment variable is present; do not trim it, expand ~, or treat an empty value as unset. Use ~/.claude/settings.json only when the variable is absent. Then the project's .claude/settings.json and .claude/settings.local.json override it per key:

   • write to primaryProject when set (pass it as project, or as project_id if it's an external_id UUID)
   • follow placementConventions for the directory when they are specific
   • otherwise use decisions

   Apply the bm-writing skill before drafting the note.

2. Clarify only if the choice itself is ambiguous. Do not ask for every field if the conversation already contains the rationale.

3. Write a type: decision note (note_type: decision):

   • status: open unless the user says it is accepted, superseded, or rejected
   • decided: <ISO timestamp when known>
   • project: <primaryProject if known>

4. Include:

   • the decision
   • context
   • rationale
   • alternatives considered
   • consequences
   • affected files, specs, issues, PRs, or notes

5. Confirm with the permalink. If this supersedes an older decision, update the old note or link it as supersedes.