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Claude Mem uses a mode system to adapt its behavior, observation types, and output language. You can switch between different workflows (like coding versus email investigation) or generate memory in any of 28+ languages, all through a single setting.

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What is a mode?

A mode is a configuration profile that defines four things:
  1. Observer role — how Claude analyzes your work (e.g. “Software Engineer” or “Forensic Analyst”)
  2. Observation types — valid categories for memory (e.g. “Bug Fix” and “Feature” vs. “Person” and “Organization”)
  3. Concepts — semantic tags used for indexing (e.g. “Pattern”, “Trade-off”)
  4. Language — the language used for generating observation titles, narratives, facts, and summaries

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Configuration

Set the active mode in ~/.claude-mem/settings.json: 
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "code--es"
}
Or via an environment variable: 
export CLAUDE_MEM_MODE="code--fr"
The default mode is code (English).

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Available modes

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Code mode (default)

The standard mode for software development. Captures bug fixes, features, refactors, discoveries, and architectural decisions. Mode ID: code

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Code–Chill variant

A behavioral variant of code mode that produces fewer observations. It only records things that would be “painful to rediscover” — shipped features, architectural decisions, and non-obvious gotchas. Routine work and obvious changes are skipped. Mode ID: code--chill

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Multilingual code modes

All multilingual modes inherit behavior from code mode and instruct Claude to generate memory artifacts (titles, narratives, facts, summaries) in the target language.
LanguageMode IDNative name
Czechcode--csČeština
Danishcode--daDansk
Dutchcode--nlNederlands
Finnishcode--fiSuomi
Frenchcode--frFrançais
Germancode--deDeutsch
Greekcode--elΕλληνικά
Hungariancode--huMagyar
Italiancode--itItaliano
Norwegiancode--noNorsk
Polishcode--plPolski
Portuguese (Brazil)code--pt-brPortuguês Brasileiro
Romaniancode--roRomână
Russiancode--ruРусский
Spanishcode--esEspañol
Swedishcode--svSvenska
Turkishcode--trTürkçe
Ukrainiancode--ukУкраїнська

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Email investigation mode

A specialized mode for analyzing email dumps such as FOIA releases and corporate archives. Focuses on identifying entities, relationships, timeline events, and key topics rather than code changes. Mode ID: email-investigation Observation types:
TypeDescription
entityPerson, organization, or email address
relationshipConnection between entities
timeline-eventTime-stamped event in a communication sequence
evidenceSupporting documentation or proof
anomalySuspicious pattern or irregularity
conclusionInvestigative finding or determination

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Law study mode

A specialized mode for legal education — case briefing, doctrine synthesis, and exam preparation. Captures case holdings, legal rules, issue patterns, and professor frameworks rather than code changes. Mode ID: law-study Chill variant: law-study--chill Observation types:
TypeDescription
case-holdingCase brief (2–3 sentences: key facts + holding) with extracted legal rule
issue-patternExam trigger or fact pattern that signals a legal issue to spot
prof-frameworkProfessor’s analytical lens, emphasis, or approach to a topic or doctrine
doctrine-ruleLegal test, standard, or doctrine synthesized from cases, statutes, or restatements
argument-structureLegal argument or counter-argument worked through with analytical steps
cross-case-connectionInsight linking multiple cases, doctrines, or topics that reveals a deeper principle
Observation concepts: exam-relevant, minority-position, gotcha, unsettled-law, policy-rationale, course-theme

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Mode inheritance

The system supports inheritance using the -- separator in mode IDs. For example, code--es is resolved as:
  1. Load code (parent) configuration
  2. Load code--es (child) configuration
  3. Merge child into parent — child values override parent values
This allows lightweight “remix” modes that change only specific aspects (like the language prompt) while keeping the core mode definition intact. 
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "code--es"
}
This is equivalent to Spanish code mode — all observation types and concepts from code mode, with all memory output generated in Spanish.

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Examples

{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "code--fr"
}
All future observations, session summaries, and titles will be generated in French.
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "code--chill"
}
Only significant moments are recorded: shipped features, architectural decisions, and non-obvious gotchas.
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "email-investigation"
}
Switches observation types to entities, relationships, timeline events, evidence, anomalies, and conclusions.
{
  "CLAUDE_MEM_MODE": "law-study"
}
Observation types change to case holdings, issue patterns, doctrine rules, professor frameworks, argument structures, and cross-case connections. Designed for law students briefing cases and synthesizing doctrine.
export CLAUDE_MEM_MODE="code--ja"
Useful for a single session without changing your persistent settings file.

Configuration

Full settings reference including CLAUDE_MEM_MODE

Getting started

Set up Claude Mem for the first time

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