From aa9772477471fe61e199da48ea5e44214162d66a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:02:51 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 01/10] Update public template identity for operational-memory rename --- PROTOCOL.yaml | 3 ++- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/PROTOCOL.yaml b/PROTOCOL.yaml index ed8a51f..a642815 100644 --- a/PROTOCOL.yaml +++ b/PROTOCOL.yaml @@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ front_door: START_HERE.md template_source: repository_id: 1354330020 - repository: referencefield/chatgpt-operational-memory + repository: referencefield/operational-memory owner_name_runtime_resolved: true repository_name_part_of_protocol: false unresolved_repository_id_fails_closed: true @@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ human_docs: example: EXAMPLE.md operations: OPERATIONS.md security: SECURITY.md + disclaimer: DISCLAIMER.md migrations: MIGRATIONS.md evals: EVALS.md eval_results: EVAL_RESULTS.md From 64aa6397dc100e044af630ffd460e1618162a213 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:03:05 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 02/10] Add plain-language project disclaimer --- DISCLAIMER.md | 36 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 36 insertions(+) create mode 100644 DISCLAIMER.md diff --git a/DISCLAIMER.md b/DISCLAIMER.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..65cadf2 --- /dev/null +++ b/DISCLAIMER.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ +# Disclaimer + +Operational Memory is an independent open-source project created by **Reference Field, Inc.** It is not an OpenAI or GitHub product, and Reference Field, Inc. is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of OpenAI or GitHub. + +OpenAI, ChatGPT, Codex, GitHub, and other third-party names and marks belong to their respective owners. References to third-party products and services in this repository are descriptive only. + +## No guarantee of AI behavior or continuity + +This project provides a repository structure, operating instructions, and validation tools intended to improve inspectable continuity for ongoing AI-assisted work. It does not guarantee that ChatGPT, Codex, another model, a plugin, an app, or an integration will retrieve, interpret, route, save, preserve, update, or recover information correctly, completely, consistently, or at all. + +Model behavior and third-party product behavior can change. Features, permissions, APIs, integrations, interfaces, pricing, availability, and terms may also change independently of Reference Field, Inc. + +## Not a security system or backup guarantee + +Operational Memory is not a security boundary, credential manager, records-management system, compliance system, disaster-recovery service, or guaranteed backup system. + +Private repositories, scoped permissions, branch protection, write verification, structural validation, and other safeguards described here can reduce particular risks but do not eliminate security, privacy, data-loss, access, synchronization, model-error, or third-party-service risks. + +Do not store passwords, access tokens, private keys, recovery codes, full financial credentials, or other secrets in an Operational Memory repository. + +## User responsibility + +Users remain responsible for: + +- deciding what information is appropriate to store; +- repository visibility and access permissions; +- maintaining independent backups when loss would be material; +- reviewing consequential AI-generated conclusions and changes; +- complying with laws, contracts, confidentiality obligations, organizational policies, and third-party terms that apply to their use; +- deciding whether this project is suitable for a particular personal, professional, regulated, safety-critical, or high-consequence use. + +Nothing in this repository is legal, financial, medical, security, compliance, or other professional advice. + +## License controls + +The project is distributed under the MIT License. The warranty disclaimer and limitation-of-liability terms in [`LICENSE`](LICENSE) apply to the software and associated documentation. This file is intended to clarify practical boundaries and third-party independence, not replace or narrow the MIT License. From 34bd856e95ebfdfb22d284c7731c4c8b9cfcdde3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:03:17 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 03/10] Use Operational Memory project name in contribution guide --- CONTRIBUTING.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md index 7aa462e..f27c27c 100644 --- a/CONTRIBUTING.md +++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ # Contributing -Thank you for helping improve ChatGPT Operational Memory. +Thank you for helping improve Operational Memory. The project is intentionally narrow: a low-infrastructure, lay-user-friendly way to give ChatGPT explicit, user-owned operational memory in GitHub without turning the repository into an uncontrolled knowledge base or requiring an agent framework. From 7835bfbf910a5e54b2c1c7d9ea51b34408a30609 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:03:30 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 04/10] Use Operational Memory project name in expectation guide --- WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md b/WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md index 9fcf8c8..45dabd3 100644 --- a/WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md +++ b/WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ # What to Expect -This page is for the person deciding whether ChatGPT Operational Memory is worth installing. +This page is for the person deciding whether Operational Memory is worth installing. ## Short version From e4f141427496404854dfae946a2ba67f727717b2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:04:09 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 05/10] Detect legacy repository and product naming --- tools/validate_protocol.py | 27 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/tools/validate_protocol.py b/tools/validate_protocol.py index aa39aff..2974b38 100755 --- a/tools/validate_protocol.py +++ b/tools/validate_protocol.py @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ #!/usr/bin/env python3 -"""Advisory structural validator for ChatGPT Operational Memory. +"""Advisory structural validator for Operational Memory. This intentionally checks only machine-verifiable repository invariants. Semantic questions remain part of the ChatGPT health check described in OPERATIONS.md. @@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1] ERRORS: list[str] = [] WARNINGS: list[str] = [] +LEGACY_REPOSITORY_SLUG = "chatgpt" + "-operational-memory" +LEGACY_PROJECT_NAME = "ChatGPT" + " Operational Memory" def error(message: str) -> None: @@ -170,6 +172,27 @@ def budget_bytes(path: str, limit: int, label: str) -> None: warn(f"soft budget crossed: {label} is {target.stat().st_size} bytes > {limit}") +def check_legacy_project_naming() -> None: + forbidden = ( + "referencefield/" + LEGACY_REPOSITORY_SLUG, + "template_name=" + LEGACY_REPOSITORY_SLUG, + LEGACY_PROJECT_NAME, + ) + text_suffixes = {".md", ".yaml", ".yml", ".py"} + for path in ROOT.rglob("*"): + if not path.is_file() or ".git" in path.parts: + continue + if path.suffix.lower() not in text_suffixes: + continue + text = read_text(path) + for term in forbidden: + if term in text: + error( + f"legacy project/repository naming remains in {path.relative_to(ROOT)}" + ) + break + + def load_manifest() -> dict: manifest_path = require_file("PROTOCOL.yaml", "protocol manifest") if not manifest_path.is_file(): @@ -212,6 +235,8 @@ def main() -> int: print_results() return 1 + check_legacy_project_naming() + version = str(manifest.get("protocol_version", "")).strip() if not version: error("PROTOCOL.yaml missing protocol_version") From 3736b94fab6a0b5ab7dafb1a2a3751e4f4d22dcf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:04:51 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 06/10] Use Operational Memory name in discussion template --- .github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml index 3f74cc3..1565691 100644 --- a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml +++ b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml @@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ body: - type: markdown attributes: value: | - Share how you are using ChatGPT Operational Memory, what you changed, or what you learned. Please keep examples sanitized. + Share how you are using Operational Memory with ChatGPT, what you changed, or what you learned. Please keep examples sanitized. - type: textarea id: use_case attributes: From 505b99e3438796b2f4e69a132cb2850d42af4669 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:04:57 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 07/10] Use Operational Memory name in general discussion template --- .github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/general.yml | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/general.yml b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/general.yml index 1808398..643c3a2 100644 --- a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/general.yml +++ b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/general.yml @@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ body: - type: markdown attributes: value: | - Use General for open-ended conversation about ChatGPT Operational Memory that does not fit Q&A, Ideas, or Show and tell. + Use General for open-ended conversation about Operational Memory that does not fit Q&A, Ideas, or Show and tell. Do not post secrets, credentials, private repository contents, or sensitive personal information. - type: textarea id: topic From c14e13ebd3c2e6a1f0c12c712ea444127d2a12e6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:05:03 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 08/10] Point issue support link at renamed repository --- .github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml index 59aa12c..ff4546e 100644 --- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml +++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ blank_issues_enabled: false contact_links: - name: Upstream project support and Discussions - url: https://github.com/referencefield/chatgpt-operational-memory/discussions + url: https://github.com/referencefield/operational-memory/discussions about: Use the public upstream Discussions for open-ended questions, experiences, and ideas that are not yet actionable issues. This link intentionally points outside a private template copy. From 019666a9c30ed1b7ef30d805aa6e1075eb863ad3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:05:42 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 09/10] Rename public project and repair template creation link --- README.md | 11 +++++++---- 1 file changed, 7 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index d6724ea..2d039be 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -# ChatGPT Operational Memory +# Operational Memory A low-infrastructure GitHub template for giving ChatGPT durable, user-owned working state across conversations: current state, decisions, durable knowledge, working preferences, routed projects, and cross-repository continuity. @@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ The goal is not to make ChatGPT remember everything. It is to keep the smaller s > **A portable continuity layer for serious ongoing ChatGPT work.** +Operational Memory is an independent open-source project created by **Reference Field, Inc.** It is not an OpenAI or GitHub product and is not sponsored by or endorsed by either company. See [`DISCLAIMER.md`](DISCLAIMER.md) for practical boundaries and third-party independence. + **Supported release baseline:** a **paid ChatGPT plan** plus the `@GitHub` plugin with repository write actions. Free ChatGPT accounts are not supported by this release. A paid plan alone does not guarantee that the required plugin/actions are available on every account, region, workspace, or surface, so setup verifies the actual capability. Not sure whether this is worth installing? Read **[`WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md`](WHAT_TO_EXPECT.md)** first. It is the short human-facing description of what should feel different in practice. @@ -16,7 +18,7 @@ You only need to do this once. You do **not** need Git expertise, a terminal, or ### 1. Create -[**Create my private memory repository**](https://github.com/new?owner=%40me&template_owner=referencefield&template_name=chatgpt-operational-memory&visibility=private) +[**Create my private memory repository**](https://github.com/new?owner=%40me&template_owner=referencefield&template_name=operational-memory&visibility=private) GitHub should open a new-repository form using this template with **Private** preselected. Choose any repository name, visibly confirm **Private**, and create it. @@ -238,7 +240,7 @@ A private GitHub repository is private on GitHub, but content retrieved into Cha Git history is useful recovery evidence but is not an independent backup of the GitHub account/repository itself. If losing the operational-memory repository would be materially costly, keep an independent clone/archive using a backup practice you trust. -See [`SECURITY.md`](SECURITY.md) for details. +See [`SECURITY.md`](SECURITY.md) for details and [`DISCLAIMER.md`](DISCLAIMER.md) for project and third-party boundaries. ## Structural validation and behavioral evals @@ -273,6 +275,7 @@ See [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](CONTRIBUTING.md). - `AGENTS.md` — Codex bootloader - `OPERATIONS.md` — project creation, write-sets, health, closeout, recovery, maintenance - `SECURITY.md` — privacy, secrets, recovery boundaries, optional Git hardening +- `DISCLAIMER.md` — project independence, warranty/reliability boundaries, and user responsibility - `MIGRATIONS.md` — release/update rules and controlled release cleanup - `EXAMPLE.md` — fictional worked example - `EVALS.md` — adversarial behavioral scenarios @@ -302,6 +305,6 @@ This is not an infallible memory system, objective source of truth, deterministi It cannot know about changes that were never recorded, guarantee automatic plugin invocation, guarantee that a generic companion will dominate stronger user-provided guidance, or guarantee future product behavior. -Licensed under the MIT License. See [`LICENSE`](LICENSE). +Licensed under the MIT License. See [`LICENSE`](LICENSE). Additional practical limitations and third-party independence are described in [`DISCLAIMER.md`](DISCLAIMER.md). Created by **Reference Field, Inc.** · https://referencefield.com · contact@referencefield.com From e6f515dfac6eac08f618db0a877a8c84ccea5a53 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Reference Field, Inc." Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 18:06:08 -0400 Subject: [PATCH 10/10] Repair setup link for renamed template --- SETUP.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/SETUP.md b/SETUP.md index eb91a65..b892c9b 100644 --- a/SETUP.md +++ b/SETUP.md @@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ You do **not** need to know Git, use a terminal, understand repository IDs, or e ### 1. Create your private memory repository -[**Create my private memory repository**](https://github.com/new?owner=%40me&template_owner=referencefield&template_name=chatgpt-operational-memory&visibility=private) +[**Create my private memory repository**](https://github.com/new?owner=%40me&template_owner=referencefield&template_name=operational-memory&visibility=private) GitHub should open the new-repository form with this template selected and **Private** preselected. Choose any repository name you want, visibly confirm **Private**, then create it.