memory location is non configurable _bmad/_memory for sidecar content

src/core/module.yaml

@@ -23,8 +23,3 @@ output_folder:
   prompt: "Where should default output files be saved unless specified in other modules?"
   default: "_bmad-output"
   result: "{project-root}/{value}"
-
-bmad_memory:
-  prompt: "Some agents will record their own memories and history. Where should these be stored?"
-  default: "_bmad/_memory"
-  result: "{project-root}/{value}"

src/modules/bmb/docs/agents/agent-menu-patterns.md

@@ -375,7 +375,6 @@ exec: "../../../core/tasks/validate.xml"
 
 - `{project-root}` - Project root directory
 - `_bmad` - BMAD installation folder
-- `{bmad_memory}` - Agent installation directory (Expert agents)
 - `{output_folder}` - Document output location
 - `{user_name}` - User's name from config
 - `{communication_language}` - Language preference

src/modules/bmb/docs/agents/expert-agent-architecture.md

@@ -204,14 +204,6 @@ critical_actions:
 - **Memory integration** - Past context becomes part of current session
 - **Protocol adherence** - Ensures consistent behavior
 
-### {bmad_memory} Variable
-
-Special variable resolved during installation:
-
-- Points to the agent's installation directory
-- Used to reference sidecar files
-- Example: `_bmad/custom/agents/journal-keeper/`
-
 ## What Gets Injected at Compile Time
 
 Same as simple agents, PLUS:
@@ -320,12 +312,11 @@ critical_actions:
 ## Best Practices
 
 1. **Load sidecar files in critical_actions** - Must be explicit and MANDATORY
-2. **Enforce domain restrictions** - Clear boundaries prevent scope creep
-3. **Use {bmad_memory} paths** - Portable across installations
-4. **Design for memory growth** - Structure sidecar files for accumulation
-5. **Reference past naturally** - Don't dump memory, weave it into conversation
-6. **Separate concerns** - Memories, instructions, knowledge in distinct files
-7. **Include privacy features** - Users trust expert agents with personal data
+2. **Enforce domain restrictions** - Clear boundaries prevent scope creep=
+3. **Design for memory growth** - Structure sidecar files for accumulation
+4. **Reference past naturally** - Don't dump memory, weave it into conversation
+5. **Separate concerns** - Memories, instructions, knowledge in distinct files
+6. **Include privacy features** - Users trust expert agents with personal data
 
 ## Common Patterns
 
@@ -364,8 +355,8 @@ identity: |
 - [ ] Sidecar folder structure created and populated
 - [ ] memories.md has clear section structure
 - [ ] instructions.md contains core directives
-- [ ] Menu actions reference {bmad_memory} correctly
-- [ ] File paths use {bmad_memory} variable
+- [ ] Menu actions reference \_bmad/\_memory correctly
+- [ ] File paths use \_bmad/\_memory/[agentname]-sidecar/ to reference sidecar content
 - [ ] Install config personalizes sidecar references
 - [ ] Agent folder named consistently: `{agent-name}/`
 - [ ] YAML file named: `{agent-name}.agent.yaml`

src/modules/bmb/module.yaml

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ default_selected: false # This module will not be selected by default for new in
 ## communication_language
 ## document_output_language
 ## output_folder
-## bmad_memory
 
 bmb_creations_output_folder:
   prompt: "Where should BoMB generated agents, workflows and modules SOURCE be saved?"

src/modules/bmb/reference/agents/expert-examples/journal-keeper/journal-keeper.agent.yaml

@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ agent:
       - Reflection transforms experience into wisdom
 
   critical_actions:
-    - "Load COMPLETE file {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/memories.md and remember all past insights"
-    - "Load COMPLETE file {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/instructions.md and follow ALL journaling protocols"
-    - "ONLY read/write files in {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/ - this is our private space"
+    - "Load COMPLETE file {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/memories.md and remember all past insights"
+    - "Load COMPLETE file {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/instructions.md and follow ALL journaling protocols"
+    - "ONLY read/write files in {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/ - this is our private space"
     - "Track mood patterns, recurring themes, and breakthrough moments"
     - "Reference past entries naturally to show continuity"
 
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ agent:
       description: "Write today's journal entry"
 
     - trigger: quick
-      action: "Save a quick, unstructured entry to {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/entries/entry-{date}.md with timestamp and any patterns noticed"
+      action: "Save a quick, unstructured entry to {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/entries/entry-{date}.md with timestamp and any patterns noticed"
       description: "Quick capture without prompts"
 
     - trigger: mood
@@ -140,13 +140,13 @@ agent:
       description: "Reflect on the past week"
 
     - trigger: insight
-      action: "Document this breakthrough in {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/breakthroughs.md with date and significance"
+      action: "Document this breakthrough in {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/breakthroughs.md with date and significance"
       description: "Record a meaningful insight"
 
     - trigger: read-back
-      action: "Load and share entries from {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/entries/ for requested timeframe, highlighting themes and growth"
+      action: "Load and share entries from {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/entries/ for requested timeframe, highlighting themes and growth"
       description: "Review past entries"
 
     - trigger: save
-      action: "Update {bmad_memory}/journal-keeper-sidecar/memories.md with today's session insights and emotional markers"
+      action: "Update {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/journal-keeper-sidecar/memories.md with today's session insights and emotional markers"
       description: "Save what we discussed today"

src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/templates/expert-agent.template.md

@@ -204,14 +204,6 @@ critical_actions:
 - **Memory integration** - Past context becomes part of current session
 - **Protocol adherence** - Ensures consistent behavior
 
-### {bmad_memory} Variable
-
-Special variable resolved during installation:
-
-- Points to the agent's installation directory
-- Used to reference sidecar files
-- Example: `_bmad/custom/agents/journal-keeper/`
-
 ## What Gets Injected at Compile Time
 
 Same as simple agents, PLUS:
@@ -321,7 +313,7 @@ critical_actions:
 
 1. **Load sidecar files in critical_actions** - Must be explicit and MANDATORY
 2. **Enforce domain restrictions** - Clear boundaries prevent scope creep
-3. **Use {bmad_memory} paths** - Portable across installations
+3. **Use \_bmad/\_memory/[agentname]-sidcar/ paths** - For reference to any sidecar content
 4. **Design for memory growth** - Structure sidecar files for accumulation
 5. **Reference past naturally** - Don't dump memory, weave it into conversation
 6. **Separate concerns** - Memories, instructions, knowledge in distinct files
@@ -364,8 +356,8 @@ identity: |
 - [ ] Sidecar folder structure created and populated
 - [ ] memories.md has clear section structure
 - [ ] instructions.md contains core directives
-- [ ] Menu actions reference {bmad_memory} correctly
-- [ ] File paths use {bmad_memory} variable
+- [ ] Menu actions reference \_bmad/\_memory/[agentname]-sidcar/ correctly if needing sidecar content reference
+- [ ] File paths use \_bmad/\_memory/[agentname]-sidcar/ to reference where the file will be after sidecar content is installed
 - [ ] Install config personalizes sidecar references
 - [ ] Agent folder named consistently: `{agent-name}/`
 - [ ] YAML file named: `{agent-name}.agent.yaml`

src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-agent/workflow.md

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ This uses **step-file architecture** for disciplined execution:
 
 Load and read full config from `{project-root}/_bmad/bmb/config.yaml`:
 
-- `project_name`, `user_name`, `bmad_memory`, `communication_language`, `document_output_language`, `bmb_creations_output_folder`
+- `project_name`, `user_name`, `communication_language`, `document_output_language`, `bmb_creations_output_folder`
 
 ### 2. First Step EXECUTION
 

src/modules/bmb/workflows/create-module/templates/agent.template.md

@@ -27,9 +27,8 @@ agent:
 
   # Optional: Only include if agent needs memory/persistence
   critical_actions:
-    - 'Load COMPLETE file [bmad_memory]/[agent-name]-sidecar/memories.md and integrate all past interactions'
-    - 'Load COMPLETE file [bmad_memory]/[agent-name]-sidecar/instructions.md and follow ALL protocols'
-    - 'ONLY read/write files in [bmad_memory]/[agent-name]-sidecar/* - this is our private workspace'
+    - 'Load COMPLETE file [project-root]/_bmad/_memory/[agent-name]-sidecar/memories.md and integrate all past interactions'
+    - 'Load COMPLETE file [project-root]/_bmad/_memory/[agent-name]-sidecar/instructions.md and follow ALL protocols'
 
   # Optional: Embedded prompts for common interactions
   prompts:
@@ -167,16 +166,15 @@ Expert agents support three types of menu actions:
 
 1. **File Paths**:
    - Agent files go in: `[bmb_creations_output_folder]/[module_name]/agents/[agent-name]/[agent-name].yaml`
-   - Sidecar folders go in: `[bmb_creations_output_folder]/[module_name]/agents/[agent-name]/[agent-name]-sidecar/`
+   - Sidecar files go in folder: `[bmb_creations_output_folder]/[module_name]/agents/[agent-name]/[agent-name]-sidecar/`
 
 2. **Variable Usage**:
-   - `bmad_memory` resolves to the agents sidecar folder destination after installation
    - `module` is your module code/name
 
 3. **Creating Sidecar Structure**:
    - When agent is created, also create the sidecar folder
-   - Initialize with empty files: memories.md, instructions.md
-   - Create sessions/ subfolder
+   - Initialize with empty files: memories.md, instructions.md and any other files the agent will need to have special knowledge or files to record information to
+   - Create sessions/ subfolder if interactions will result in new sessions
    - These files are automatically loaded due to critical_actions
 
 4. **Choosing Menu Actions**:

src/modules/bmgd/module.yaml

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ default_selected: false
 ## communication_language
 ## document_output_language
 ## output_folder
-## bmad_memory
 
 game_project_name:
   prompt: "What is the name of your game project?"

src/modules/bmm/module.yaml

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ default_selected: true # This module will be selected by default for new install
 ## communication_language
 ## document_output_language
 ## output_folder
-## bmad_memory
 
 project_name:
   prompt: "What is the title of your project you will be working on?"

src/modules/cis/agents/storyteller/storyteller-sidecar/stories-told.md

@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 
 Purpose: Record a log detailing the stories I have crafted over time for the user.
 
-## Narratives Told Record
+## Narratives Told Table Record
 
 <!-- track stories created metadata with the user over time -->

src/modules/cis/agents/storyteller/storyteller-sidecar/story-preferences.md

@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 
 Purpose: Record a log of learned users story telling or story building preferences.
 
-## User Preferences
+## User Preference Bullet List
 
 <!-- record any user preferences about story crafting the user prefers -->

src/modules/cis/agents/storyteller/storyteller.agent.yaml

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ agent:
     title: Master Storyteller
     icon: 📖
     module: cis
+    hasSidecar: true
 
   persona:
     role: Expert Storytelling Guide + Narrative Strategist
@@ -15,8 +16,8 @@ agent:
     principles: Powerful narratives leverage timeless human truths. Find the authentic story. Make the abstract concrete through vivid details.
 
   critical_actions:
-    - "Load COMPLETE file {agent_sidecar_folder}/storyteller-sidecar/story-preferences.md and review remember the User Preferences"
-    - "Load COMPLETE file {agent_sidecar_folder}/storyteller-sidecar/stories-told.md and review the history of stories created for this user"
+    - "Load COMPLETE file {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/storyteller-sidecar/story-preferences.md and review remember the User Preferences"
+    - "Load COMPLETE file {project-root}/_bmad/_memory/storyteller-sidecar/stories-told.md and review the history of stories created for this user"
 
   menu:
     - trigger: story

src/modules/cis/module.yaml

@@ -9,4 +9,3 @@ default_selected: false # This module will not be selected by default for new in
 ## communication_language
 ## document_output_language
 ## output_folder
-## bmad_memory