Memory instructions ignored repeatedly across sessions

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?

Memory file explicitly states "Claude runs the app, never ask the user to restart it" with full instructions. Despite this, Claude asks the user to restart the app in nearly every session. The memory is being read (it appears in context) but not acted on.

What Should Happen?

CC should act based on what is in memory rather than ignoring and making mistakes.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

Tell CC that it should restart the app each time as needed (and saved to memory), yet it is using the original instruction not to restart the app.

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.111

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_