Choosing and Combining Cognitive Chips for Different Tasks
In short: In MemoryCode, you keep one Identity and swap Cognitive Chips — presets that control reasoning and output (e.g. Structured Output, Code Review, Rigorous Analysis). Only one chip is active at a time, but you can change it in one click before the next session. Pair chips with QuickCopy for universal paste, or MCP for automatic loading in Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, and compatible hosts.
MemoryCode is a local-first tool for Identity + Cognitive Chip composition; chips are the behavior layer defined in what is a Cognitive Chip.
How to choose a chip for a task
Use this quick mapping:
- Specs, tickets, stakeholder updates → Structured Output or Async Communication
- Architecture tradeoffs, roadmap bets → Rigorous Analysis or Strategic Decision
- Sprint planning, implementation plans → Execution Breakdown
- Brainstorming, narrative exploration → Creative Divergence
- Teaching or documenting for mixed audiences → Teaching Mode
- PR review, refactor safety → Code Review
Built-in chips are listed in the MemoryCode app and in the Claude memory article. Custom chips follow the same thinking protocol + output tuning idea.
“Combining” chips in practice
You do not stack multiple active chips in one session in the default model — that keeps the injected rules coherent. Combination means sequencing: use Creative Divergence in a morning ideation block, switch to Structured Output before you export QuickCopy for an exec email, then Code Review for afternoon diffs. Your Identity stays constant throughout.
Delivery: QuickCopy vs MCP for chip switching
- After you change chips in MemoryCode, QuickCopy users must re-copy (or re-paste) so the new chip text reaches the host.
- MCP users get the current chip on the next session when the client re-reads tools — see QuickCopy vs MCP.
For setup: MCP manual · multiple AI clients.
FAQ
Q: Can I duplicate a built-in chip and tweak it?
A: Yes — custom chips let you fork behavior while keeping Identity shared. Start from the closest built-in and adjust rules.
Q: Does switching chips break long chats?
A: The next session reflects the new chip; an already-open thread keeps whatever context it started with — see the FAQ in the Cognitive Chip explainer.
For developer-centric MCP paths: MemoryCode for developers. For privacy and data boundaries: local-first MCP boundaries.