> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://codearchitect.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tips & Tricks

> Advanced tips and best practices for using CodeArchitect MCP effectively

## Best Practices

**Use the export file workflow (recommended):**

1. Export chat from Cursor/VS Code to `~/.codearchitect/exports/`
2. Say: `use codearchitect store_session`
3. Tool auto-detects and processes the export file

**Use descriptive topics:**

```bash theme={null}
use codearchitect store_session topic: "Database Migration Strategy"
```

**Save to project folder too:**

```bash theme={null}
use codearchitect store_session projectDir: "/path/to/project"
```

This saves to both main folder (`~/.codearchitect/sessions/`) AND project folder.

**Version control sessions:**

```bash theme={null}
git add ~/.codearchitect/sessions/
git commit -m "Add architecture discussion sessions"
```

Or if using project folder:

```bash theme={null}
git add .codearchitect/sessions/
git commit -m "Add architecture discussion sessions"
```

## Search Sessions

```bash theme={null}
# Search by content (main location)
grep -r "authentication" ~/.codearchitect/sessions/

# Find by date
find ~/.codearchitect/sessions/2025-11-* -name "*.md"

# Windows PowerShell
Select-String -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\.codearchitect\sessions\**\*.md" -Pattern "authentication"
```

## Storage Locations

**Main location (always):** `~/.codearchitect/sessions/`

* Windows: `C:\Users\YourName\.codearchitect\sessions\`
* Linux/Mac: `~/.codearchitect/sessions/`
* Sessions are always saved here for reliability

**Export folder:** `~/.codearchitect/exports/`

* Export chats here for automatic detection
* Supports both Cursor (`.md`) and VS Code (`.json`) formats

**Optional project folder:** `project/.codearchitect/sessions/`

* Only if `projectDir` parameter is specified
* Saves to both main folder AND project folder

## Topic Tips

* Start conversations with clear user messages
* Use descriptive language
* Avoid code blocks in first 100 characters