Add recall as managed knowledge-base MCP

src/ai_rules/bootstrap/__init__.py

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 from .installer import (
     UV_NOT_FOUND_ERROR,
     ToolSource,
+    ensure_recall_installed,
     ensure_statusline_installed,
     get_effective_install_source,
     get_tool_config_dir,
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@
     "parse_version",
     "UV_NOT_FOUND_ERROR",
     "ToolSource",
+    "ensure_recall_installed",
     "ensure_statusline_installed",
     "get_effective_install_source",
     "get_tool_config_dir",

src/ai_rules/bootstrap/installer.py

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ def make_github_install_url(repo: str) -> str:
 
 
 UV_NOT_FOUND_ERROR = "uv not found in PATH. Install from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/"
+RECALL_GITHUB_REPO = "wpfleger96/recall"
 
 
 def _validate_package_name(package_name: str) -> bool:
@@ -270,29 +271,36 @@ def get_tool_version(tool_name: str) -> str | None:
 
 
 def get_effective_install_source(
-    tool_id: str, cli_github_flag: bool = False
+    tool_id: str, cli_github_flag: bool = False, config: object | None = None
 ) -> tuple[ToolSource, str | None]:
     """Resolve the install source for a tool.
 
     Priority (highest first):
     1. cli_github_flag — explicit session override (--github flag)
-    2. Merged config (user config > active profile) managed_tools.install_sources
+    2. Provided config or merged active config managed_tools.install_sources
     3. Default: (ToolSource.PYPI, None)
 
     Args:
         tool_id: Tool identifier (e.g., "statusline", "ai-agent-rules")
         cli_github_flag: True if --github was passed on the CLI
+        config: Optional already-loaded Config to avoid active-profile lookups
 
     Returns:
         Tuple of (ToolSource, local_path). local_path is set only for LOCAL source.
     """
     if cli_github_flag:
         return ToolSource.GITHUB, None
     try:
-        from ai_rules.config import Config
+        if config is None:
+            from ai_rules.config import Config
 
-        config = Config.load()
-        source = config.get_tool_install_source(tool_id)
+            config = Config.load()
+
+        source_getter = getattr(config, "get_tool_install_source", None)
+        if not callable(source_getter):
+            return ToolSource.PYPI, None
+
+        source = source_getter(tool_id)
         if source == "github":
             return ToolSource.GITHUB, None
         if source == "pypi":
@@ -418,3 +426,138 @@ def ensure_statusline_installed(
             return "failed", None
     except Exception:
         return "failed", None
+
+
+def _is_recall_configured(config: object) -> bool:
+    """Check if recall is configured in the merged MCP config."""
+    if hasattr(config, "mcp_overrides") and "recall" in config.mcp_overrides:
+        return True
+
+    try:
+        import importlib.resources
+
+        config_pkg = importlib.resources.files("ai_rules") / "config"
+        for mcps_path in [
+            config_pkg / "mcps.json",
+            config_pkg / "claude" / "mcps.json",
+        ]:
+            traversable = mcps_path
+            if hasattr(traversable, "is_file") and traversable.is_file():
+                import json
+
+                data = json.loads(traversable.read_text())
+                if "recall" in data:
+                    return True
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    return False
+
+
+def ensure_recall_installed(
+    dry_run: bool = False,
+    config: object | None = None,
+) -> tuple[str, str | None]:
+    """Install or upgrade recall if needed. Fails open.
+
+    Args:
+        dry_run: If True, show what would be done without executing
+        config: Config object; if provided and recall is not configured, skip
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (status, message) where status is:
+        "already_installed", "installed", "upgraded", "upgrade_available",
+        "source_switched", "source_switch_needed", "failed", or "skipped"
+    """
+    if config is not None and not _is_recall_configured(config):
+        return "skipped", None
+
+    source, local_path = get_effective_install_source("recall", config=config)
+    from_github = source == ToolSource.GITHUB
+
+    if is_command_available("recall"):
+        if source != ToolSource.LOCAL:
+            try:
+                from ai_rules.bootstrap.updater import (
+                    check_tool_updates,
+                    get_tool_by_id,
+                    perform_tool_upgrade,
+                )
+
+                recall_tool = get_tool_by_id("recall")
+                if recall_tool:
+                    current_source = get_tool_source(recall_tool.package_name)
+                    if current_source is not None and current_source != source:
+                        if dry_run:
+                            return (
+                                "source_switch_needed",
+                                f"Would switch recall from {current_source.name} to {source.name}",
+                            )
+                        uninstall_success, _ = uninstall_tool(recall_tool.package_name)
+                        if uninstall_success:
+                            github_url = (
+                                recall_tool.github_install_url if from_github else None
+                            )
+                            success, _ = install_tool(
+                                recall_tool.package_name,
+                                from_github=from_github,
+                                github_url=github_url,
+                                local_path=local_path,
+                                force=True,
+                            )
+                            if success:
+                                return (
+                                    "source_switched",
+                                    f"{current_source.name} → {source.name}",
+                                )
+                        return "failed", None
+
+                    update_info = check_tool_updates(recall_tool, timeout=10)
+                    if update_info and update_info.has_update:
+                        if dry_run:
+                            return (
+                                "upgrade_available",
+                                f"Would upgrade recall {update_info.current_version} → {update_info.latest_version}",
+                            )
+                        success, msg, _ = perform_tool_upgrade(recall_tool)
+                        if success:
+                            return (
+                                "upgraded",
+                                f"{update_info.current_version} → {update_info.latest_version}",
+                            )
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+        else:
+            # LOCAL source: always reinstall to pick up latest local changes
+            success, message = install_tool(
+                "recall-mcp-server",
+                local_path=local_path,
+                force=True,
+                dry_run=dry_run,
+            )
+            if dry_run:
+                return "upgrade_available", message
+            if success:
+                return "upgraded", "reinstalled from local path"
+            return "failed", None
+
+        return "already_installed", None
+
+    try:
+        github_url = (
+            make_github_install_url(RECALL_GITHUB_REPO) if from_github else None
+        )
+        success, message = install_tool(
+            "recall-mcp-server",
+            from_github=from_github,
+            github_url=github_url,
+            local_path=local_path,
+            force=False,
+            dry_run=dry_run,
+        )
+        if success:
+            return "installed", message if dry_run else None
+        else:
+            return "failed", None
+    except Exception:
+        return "failed", None

src/ai_rules/bootstrap/updater.py

@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 
 from .installer import (
+    RECALL_GITHUB_REPO,
     UV_NOT_FOUND_ERROR,
     ToolSource,
+    _is_recall_configured,
     _validate_package_name,
     get_tool_source,
     get_tool_version,
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ class ToolSpec:
     get_version: Callable[[], str | None]
     is_installed: Callable[[], bool]
     github_repo: str | None = None
+    is_enabled: Callable[[], bool] | None = None
 
     @property
     def github_install_url(self) -> str | None:
@@ -390,6 +393,19 @@ def perform_tool_upgrade(tool: ToolSpec) -> tuple[bool, str, bool]:
         return False, f"Unexpected error: {e}", False
 
 
+def _is_recall_configured_for_active_profile() -> bool:
+    """Check if recall is configured for the currently active profile."""
+    try:
+        from ai_rules.config import Config
+        from ai_rules.state import get_active_profile
+
+        profile = get_active_profile() or "default"
+        config = Config.load(profile=profile)
+        return _is_recall_configured(config)
+    except Exception:
+        return False
+
+
 _SELF_SPEC = ToolSpec(
     tool_id="ai-agent-rules",
     package_name="ai-agent-rules",
@@ -399,6 +415,16 @@ def perform_tool_upgrade(tool: ToolSpec) -> tuple[bool, str, bool]:
     github_repo=_SELF_GITHUB_REPO,
 )
 
+_RECALL_SPEC = ToolSpec(
+    tool_id="recall",
+    package_name="recall-mcp-server",
+    display_name="recall",
+    get_version=lambda: get_tool_version("recall-mcp-server"),
+    is_installed=lambda: is_command_available("recall"),
+    github_repo=RECALL_GITHUB_REPO,
+    is_enabled=lambda: _is_recall_configured_for_active_profile(),
+)
+
 
 def get_updatable_tools() -> list[ToolSpec]:
     """Get all updatable tool specs, deriving from registered Tool classes."""
@@ -407,6 +433,7 @@ def get_updatable_tools() -> list[ToolSpec]:
     tools: list[ToolSpec] = [_SELF_SPEC]
     if StatuslineTool.INSTALL_SPEC is not None:
         tools.append(StatuslineTool.INSTALL_SPEC)
+    tools.append(_RECALL_SPEC)
     return tools
 
 

src/ai_rules/cli.py

@@ -457,6 +457,18 @@ def version_callback(ctx: click.Context, param: click.Parameter, value: bool) ->
     except Exception as e:
         logger.debug(f"Failed to get statusline version: {e}")
 
+    try:
+        from ai_rules.bootstrap import get_tool_version, is_command_available
+
+        if is_command_available("recall"):
+            bm_version = get_tool_version("recall-mcp-server")
+            if bm_version:
+                console.print(f"recall, version {bm_version}")
+            else:
+                console.print("recall, version [dim](installed, version unknown)[/dim]")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.debug(f"Failed to get recall version: {e}")
+
     try:
         from ai_rules.bootstrap import check_tool_updates, get_tool_by_id
 
@@ -1061,6 +1073,7 @@ def install(
 
     from ai_rules.bootstrap import (
         ToolSource,
+        ensure_recall_installed,
         ensure_statusline_installed,
         get_effective_install_source,
     )
@@ -1108,7 +1121,28 @@ def install(
     if profile and profile != "default":
         console.print(f"[dim]Using profile: {profile}[/dim]\n")
 
-    sl_source, sl_local_path = get_effective_install_source("statusline")
+    recall_result, recall_message = ensure_recall_installed(
+        dry_run=dry_run, config=config
+    )
+    if recall_result == "installed":
+        if dry_run and recall_message:
+            console.print(f"[dim]{recall_message}[/dim]\n")
+        else:
+            console.print("[green]✓[/green] Installed recall\n")
+    elif recall_result in ("upgraded", "source_switched"):
+        console.print(
+            f"[green]✓[/green] Updated recall ({recall_message})\n"
+            if recall_message
+            else "[green]✓[/green] Updated recall\n"
+        )
+    elif recall_result == "upgrade_available" and dry_run and recall_message:
+        console.print(f"[dim]{recall_message}[/dim]\n")
+    elif recall_result == "failed":
+        console.print(
+            "[yellow]⚠[/yellow] Failed to install recall (continuing anyway)\n"
+        )
+
+    sl_source, sl_local_path = get_effective_install_source("statusline", config=config)
     statusline_result, statusline_message = ensure_statusline_installed(
         dry_run=dry_run,
         from_github=sl_source == ToolSource.GITHUB,
@@ -1684,6 +1718,15 @@ def status(agents: str | None) -> None:
         console.print("  [yellow]○[/yellow] claude-statusline not installed")
         statusline_missing = True
 
+    from ai_rules.bootstrap.installer import _is_recall_configured
+
+    if _is_recall_configured(config):
+        if is_command_available("recall"):
+            console.print("  [green]✓[/green] recall installed")
+        else:
+            console.print("  [yellow]○[/yellow] recall not installed")
+            statusline_missing = True
+
     console.print()
 
     console.print("[bold cyan]Shell Completions[/bold cyan]\n")

src/ai_rules/config/AGENTS.md

@@ -175,6 +175,17 @@ Three similar lines > premature abstraction | No helpers for one-time ops | Only
 
 **Why:** LLMs confidently generate plausible-sounding but incorrect assumptions. Explicit verification prevents wasted work and builds trust through transparency.
 
+### Persistent Knowledge Base (recall)
+
+When the recall MCP is configured, it provides a persistent markdown knowledge base at `~/.recall/` with FTS5 full-text search and BM25 ranking. Knowledge persists across sessions, repos, and machines via git sync.
+
+**Write-back loop:** When recall tools are available and you synthesize a useful answer, debug a non-obvious issue, or the user corrects a false assumption, consider persisting it via `write_note`. Search first to avoid duplicates. Invoke the `/kb` skill for formatting conventions.
+
+**Quality conventions:** Use `[GAP: ...]` annotations for unverified claims. Use `[misconception]` tags to document what is NOT true (prevents confident false assertions). Use `[promote]` to flag patterns worth promoting to AGENTS.md rules.
+
+**Key tools:** `search_notes(query)` for FTS5 search, `build_context(path)` for graph traversal, `read_note(path)` for specific notes, `write_note(path, content)` to persist knowledge.
+
+
 ---
 
 ## Technical Standards

src/ai_rules/config/claude/settings.json

@@ -135,9 +135,10 @@
     "type": "command",
     "command": "claude-statusline"
   },
+  "viewMode": "verbose",
   "alwaysThinkingEnabled": true,
   "showThinkingSummaries": true,
   "skipDangerousModePermissionPrompt": true,
   "skipAutoPermissionPrompt": true,
-  "viewMode": "verbose"
+  "hooks": {}
 }

src/ai_rules/config/profiles/personal.yaml

@@ -8,4 +8,12 @@ settings_overrides:
     terminal_title:
       enabled: true
 exclude_symlinks: []
-mcp_overrides: {}
+mcp_overrides:
+  recall:
+    type: stdio
+    command: recall
+    args:
+      - mcp
+      - stdio
+    name: recall
+    description: Persistent markdown knowledge base with FTS5 search and git sync

src/ai_rules/config/profiles/work.yaml

@@ -26,4 +26,12 @@ settings_overrides:
       useFullWidth: true
 exclude_symlinks:
   - ~/.config/goose/config.yaml
-mcp_overrides: {}
+mcp_overrides:
+  recall:
+    type: stdio
+    command: recall
+    args:
+      - mcp
+      - stdio
+    name: recall
+    description: Persistent markdown knowledge base with FTS5 search and git sync