gitnu - Version-Controlled Knowledge Operating System for AI Agents

gitnu (binary: gnu) is a Rust CLI tool that provides git-like version control for knowledge and context, not code. It's designed to work alongside AI coding agents (like Claude Code), enabling persistent memory across AI sessions.

Features

• Persistent Memory: Checkpoint context states with commits
• Branching/Exploration: Safely explore alternative approaches without polluting main context
• Structured Knowledge: Organize knowledge in a domain/topic hierarchy
• Dual Authorship: Track whether changes came from humans or AI agents
• Claude Code Integration: Seamless integration via the Skills system

Installation

From Source

cargo install --path .

The binary will be installed as gnu.

Usage

Initialize a new vault:

gnu init --name my-project

Check current status:

gnu status

Create a checkpoint:

gnu commit "Completed authentication design"

Create and switch branches:

gnu branch explore-graphql --describe "Exploring GraphQL approach"
gnu checkout explore-graphql

View commit history:

gnu log --oneline

Merge learnings back:

gnu checkout main
gnu merge explore-graphql

Commands

• gnu init - Initialize a new gitnu vault
• gnu status - Show current context state
• gnu commit <message> - Create a checkpoint
• gnu log - Show commit history
• gnu branch - List, create, or delete branches
• gnu checkout <target> - Switch branches or restore commits
• gnu rewind <commit> - Roll back to a previous commit
• gnu diff [source] [target] - Show changes between commits/branches
• gnu merge <source> - Merge learnings from one branch into another
• gnu load <path> - Load domains/files into active context
• gnu unload <path> - Remove from active context
• gnu pin <path> - Mark files to always include
• gnu resolve <wikilink> - Resolve wikilinks to full paths
• gnu context - Output current context as single document
• gnu summary - Generate summary of current state

Directory Structure

vault/
├── .gitnu/              # Version control metadata
│   ├── config.toml      # Configuration
│   ├── HEAD             # Current branch reference
│   ├── refs/heads/      # Branch pointers
│   ├── objects/         # Compressed snapshots
│   ├── commits/         # Commit logs
│   └── index.json       # Staging/relevance queue
├── .claude/             # Claude Code integration
│   └── skills/gitnu/
│       └── SKILL.md     # Auto-generated skill
└── domains/             # Knowledge organized by domain
    ├── _global/
    │   ├── agent.md     # Agent configuration
    │   └── conventions.md
    └── <project>/
        ├── spec.md      # Project specification
        ├── prd.md       # Product requirements
        ├── decisions.md # Architecture decisions
        ├── learnings.md # Agent discoveries
        └── todos.md     # Task tracking

Claude Code Integration

When you run gnu init, it automatically creates a .claude/skills/gitnu/SKILL.md file that teaches Claude Code how to use gitnu for context management.

The skill enables Claude to:

• Load relevant context when starting a session
• Checkpoint progress after completing milestones
• Explore alternative approaches via branches
• Record important learnings and decisions
• Roll back when going down wrong paths

Philosophy

Git tracks what changed in code. gitnu tracks what the AI knows and has learned, allowing rollback to previous cognitive states.

This enables:

• Checkpointing: Save context state before major decisions
• Safe Exploration: Try alternatives without losing main context
• Knowledge Persistence: Remember learnings across sessions
• Behavioral Reset: Roll back when agent behavior degrades
• Context Management: Control what's in active memory

License

MIT

Author

Built for AI agents and the humans who work with them.