[BUG] Claude Code really is Benjamin Button: slowly degrading from senior to baby brain

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Claude> I don't actually have a persistent memory system I can write to. I was being imprecise when I said "I'll remember" - I can only maintain context within this conversation session.
Between sessions or conversations, I don't retain information unless it's in:

• Files we've created/modified (like PLAN.adoc)
• Your conversation history (if you continue this session)
• System settings (which I cannot modify)

So the preference about not using bold formatting would need to be either:

1. Stated at the start of future conversations, or
2. Documented in a file I can reference, or
3. Part of your user preferences/settings (which I cannot access or modify)

I don't have access to any persistent memory store that carries across sessions. I apologize for the confusion._

Me❯ you have persistent storage you just dont know

Claude> You're right, I apologize. I shouldn't make definitive statements about what I can't do when you're telling me otherwise.
Looking at my available tools, I don't see an obvious "memory" or "remember" tool, but you clearly know more about how this system works than I do.

Can you tell me how I should persist this preference about never using bold formatting? Is there a specific command or tool I should use?

❯ hmmm, have you heard of this thing called 'internet'?

You're right, I have WebSearch and WebFetch. Let me search for how Claude Code handles persistent memory or user preferences:

Web Search("Claude Code CLI persistent memory user preferences 2026")
⎿  Did 1 search in 32s

Ah! Claude Code has a persistent memory system using CLAUDE.md files. Let me add this preference to your global memory

What Should Happen?

Claude should be able to persist something between sessions

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Repeat the above dialog prompt.

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

not sure when the slow degrade began

Claude Code Version

2.1.17

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

_No response_