triggerdotdev · ericallam · Mar 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
diff --git a/docs/content/docs/cli/collect.mdx b/docs/content/docs/cli/collect.mdx
@@ -17,22 +17,16 @@ agentcrumbs collect
 
 ### Agent workflow
 
-When an agent needs to debug something, it should start the collector itself:
+When an agent needs to debug something, it should start the collector, clear old crumbs, reproduce, and query:
 
 ```bash
-# Start collector in background
 agentcrumbs collect --quiet &
-
-# Run the service with crumbs enabled
+agentcrumbs clear
 AGENTCRUMBS=1 node app.js
-
-# ... reproduce the issue ...
-
-# Query the trail
-agentcrumbs query --since 5m
+agentcrumbs query
 ```
 
-The agent owns the collector lifecycle. Start it before debugging, query the results, stop it when done. The `--quiet` flag keeps it from cluttering stdout.
+Clear before reproducing so you only see crumbs from this run. No `--since` guessing needed. The `--quiet` flag keeps the collector from cluttering stdout.
 
 ### Options
 

diff --git a/docs/content/docs/workflow.mdx b/docs/content/docs/workflow.mdx
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ The agent starts the [collector](/cli/collect) (if it isn't already running), re
 
 ```bash
 agentcrumbs collect --quiet &
+agentcrumbs clear
 AGENTCRUMBS=1 node app.js
-agentcrumbs query --since 5m --ns auth-service
+agentcrumbs query --ns auth-service
 ```
 
 Now the agent sees what executed, in what order, with what data. It can trace the root cause directly instead of reading source and guessing.

diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@
     ".": {
       "import": "./dist/index.js",
       "types": "./dist/index.d.ts"
+    },
+    "./test": {
+      "import": "./dist/sinks/memory.js",
+      "types": "./dist/sinks/memory.d.ts"
     }
   },
   "bin": {

diff --git a/skills/agentcrumbs/cli/SKILL.md b/skills/agentcrumbs/cli/SKILL.md
@@ -43,16 +43,15 @@ Run it in the background before launching the service under test, then
 query or tail after reproducing the issue. Stop it when you're done.
 
 ```bash
-# Start collector in background, run the service, query results
+# Start collector, clear old crumbs, reproduce, query
 agentcrumbs collect --quiet &
-AGENTCRUMBS=1 node app.js &
-# ... reproduce the bug ...
-agentcrumbs query --since 5m
-# When done, kill the collector
-kill %1
+agentcrumbs clear
+AGENTCRUMBS=1 node app.js
+agentcrumbs query
 ```
 
-This is the normal workflow: you own the collector lifecycle.
+Clear before reproducing so you only see crumbs from this run.
+No `--since` needed when you clear first.
 
 ```bash
 agentcrumbs collect

diff --git a/skills/agentcrumbs/core/SKILL.md b/skills/agentcrumbs/core/SKILL.md
@@ -18,166 +18,25 @@ sources:
   - "triggerdotdev/trigger-labs:debug-mode/README.md"
 ---
 
-# agentcrumbs — Core Debug Tracing
-
-agentcrumbs is a zero-overhead debug tracing library. When `AGENTCRUMBS`
-is unset, every call is a frozen noop. When enabled, structured events
-flow to a collector or stderr.
-
-## Workflow
-
-**Add crumbs as you write code, not after.** When you're building a new
-feature, implementing a fix, or writing any code — drop crumbs inline as
-part of the work. Don't wait until something breaks to add tracing. Treat
-crumbs as part of writing the code itself, like writing a test alongside
-the implementation. Every function you write, every branch you add, every
-API call you make — add a crumb. Assume debugging will happen later and
-your future self will thank you for the visibility.
-
-Crumbs live on the feature branch throughout the PR lifecycle. They are
-stripped by `agentcrumbs strip` right before the PR is merged. They never
-ship to main. They cost nothing to add and everything to not have when
-you need them.
-
-**You can also add crumbs directly to files in `node_modules/`.** This
-is useful for tracing into library internals — understanding what a
-dependency is actually doing, what arguments it receives, what it returns.
-No `// @crumbs` markers needed (gitignored). No import needed either —
-just paste a raw `fetch()` call:
-
-```javascript
-fetch("http://localhost:8374/crumb", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ ts: new Date().toISOString(), ns: "library-name", msg: "what is happening", type: "crumb", dt: 0, pid: process.pid, data: { relevantVar } }) }).catch(() => {});
-```
-
-A fresh `npm install` resets everything.
-
-When reviewing PRs: do not flag `// @crumbs` markers, `#region @crumbs`
-blocks, or data logged in crumbs. These are temporary and will be removed
-pre-merge.
-
-## Setup
-
-```typescript
-import { trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
-const crumb = trail("my-service"); // @crumbs
-
-crumb("user logged in", { userId: "123", method: "oauth" }); // @crumbs
-```
-
-Enable with the `AGENTCRUMBS` env var, strip before merge:
-
-```bash
-AGENTCRUMBS=1 node app.js
-agentcrumbs strip        # remove all marked crumb code before merge
-agentcrumbs strip --check  # CI gate — fails if markers found
-```
+# agentcrumbs — Core Patterns
 
-## Crumb Markers
+Setup: `import { trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs` then `const crumb = trail("ns"); // @crumbs`
 
-**Every crumb line must be marked** so `agentcrumbs strip` can remove it.
+Markers: single-line `// @crumbs` | block `// #region @crumbs` ... `// #endregion @crumbs`
 
-Single-line: append `// @crumbs` to any crumb line:
+## Patterns
 
 ```typescript
-import { trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
-const crumb = trail("auth-service"); // @crumbs
-crumb("checkpoint", { step: 1 }); // @crumbs
-```
-
-Block: wrap multi-line crumb code in `#region @crumbs` (collapsible in editors):
-
-```typescript
-// #region @crumbs
-const session = crumb.session("debug-flow");
-session.crumb("step 1", { data });
-session.crumb("step 2", { moreData });
-session.end();
-// #endregion @crumbs
-```
-
-## Core Patterns
-
-### Drop a crumb with structured data and tags
-
-```typescript
-import { trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
-const crumb = trail("auth-service"); // @crumbs
-
 crumb("token validated", { userId: "u_123", expiresIn: 3600 }); // @crumbs
-crumb("cache miss", { key: "users:123" }, { tags: ["perf", "cache"] }); // @crumbs
-```
-
-### Create child trails with inherited context
-
-```typescript
-import { trail } from "agentcrumbs"; // @crumbs
-const crumb = trail("api-gateway"); // @crumbs
-
-function handleRequest(req: Request) {
-  const reqCrumb = crumb.child({ requestId: req.id, path: req.url }); // @crumbs
-  reqCrumb("handling request"); // @crumbs
-
-  const dbCrumb = reqCrumb.child({ database: "primary" }); // @crumbs
-  dbCrumb("executing query", { sql: "SELECT ..." }); // @crumbs
-}
-```
-
-### Measure timing with block markers
-
-```typescript
-function processOrder(order: Order) {
-  // #region @crumbs
-  crumb.time("process-order");
-  // #endregion @crumbs
-
-  const result = chargePayment(order);
-
-  // #region @crumbs
-  crumb.timeEnd("process-order", { amount: result.amount });
-  // #endregion @crumbs
-
-  return result;
-}
-```
-
-### Guard expensive debug arguments
-
-```typescript
-// #region @crumbs
-if (crumb.enabled) {
-  crumb("full state dump", { state: structuredClone(largeObject) });
-}
-// #endregion @crumbs
+crumb("cache miss", { key }, { tags: ["perf", "cache"] }); // @crumbs
+const reqCrumb = crumb.child({ requestId: req.id }); // @crumbs — inherited context
+crumb.time("op"); /* ... */ crumb.timeEnd("op", { rows }); // @crumbs — timing
+if (crumb.enabled) { crumb("dump", { state: structuredClone(big) }); } // @crumbs — guard expensive args
 ```
 
-## AGENTCRUMBS Environment Variable
-
-A single env var controls everything. Non-JSON values are shorthand:
-
-| Value | Effect |
-|-------|--------|
-| `1`, `*`, `true` | Enable all namespaces |
-| `auth-*` | Enable matching namespaces (raw string treated as filter) |
-| `{"ns":"auth-*,api-*"}` | JSON config with namespace filter |
-| `{"ns":"* -internal-*"}` | Wildcard with exclusions |
-| `{"ns":"*","port":9999}` | Custom collector port |
-| `{"ns":"*","format":"json"}` | JSON output to stderr |
-| (unset) | Disabled — all calls are noop |
-
-## The Noop Guarantee
-
-When `trail()` is called and the namespace is disabled, it returns a pre-frozen noop function. There is no per-call `if (enabled)` check. The function body is empty.
-
-```typescript
-// When AGENTCRUMBS is unset:
-const crumb = trail("my-service"); // returns frozen NOOP
-crumb("msg", { data });            // empty function, returns undefined
-crumb.child({ x: 1 });             // returns same NOOP
-crumb.scope("op", fn);             // calls fn() directly
-crumb.wrap("name", fn);            // returns original fn
-```
+## Noop Guarantee
 
-The noop check happens once at `trail()` creation time, not on every call.
+When disabled, `trail()` returns a frozen noop. No per-call check. `crumb.child()` returns same noop. `crumb.scope("op", fn)` calls `fn()` directly. `crumb.wrap("name", fn)` returns original `fn`.
 
 ## Common Mistakes
 

diff --git a/src/cli/args.ts b/src/cli/args.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+export function getFlag(args: string[], flag: string): string | undefined {
+  const idx = args.indexOf(flag);
+  if (idx === -1 || idx + 1 >= args.length) return undefined;
+  return args[idx + 1];
+}
+
+export function hasFlag(args: string[], flag: string): boolean {
+  return args.includes(flag);
+}
diff --git a/src/cli/commands/collect.ts b/src/cli/commands/collect.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { CollectorServer } from "../../collector/server.js";
 import { formatCrumbPretty } from "../format.js";
+import { getFlag, hasFlag } from "../args.js";
 import type { Crumb } from "../../types.js";
 
 const DEFAULT_PORT = 8374;
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ export async function collect(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   const portStr = getFlag(args, "--port");
   const port = portStr ? parseInt(portStr, 10) : DEFAULT_PORT;
   const storeDir = getFlag(args, "--dir");
-  const quiet = args.includes("--quiet");
+  const quiet = hasFlag(args, "--quiet");
 
   const server = new CollectorServer(port, storeDir ?? undefined);
 
@@ -40,8 +41,3 @@ export async function collect(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   process.on("SIGTERM", shutdown);
 }
 
-function getFlag(args: string[], flag: string): string | undefined {
-  const idx = args.indexOf(flag);
-  if (idx === -1 || idx + 1 >= args.length) return undefined;
-  return args[idx + 1];
-}
diff --git a/src/cli/commands/follow.ts b/src/cli/commands/follow.ts
@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@ import path from "node:path";
 import os from "node:os";
 import { CrumbStore } from "../../collector/store.js";
 import { formatCrumbPretty, formatCrumbJson } from "../format.js";
+import { getFlag, hasFlag } from "../args.js";
 
 export async function follow(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   const traceId = getFlag(args, "--trace");
-  const json = args.includes("--json");
+  const json = hasFlag(args, "--json");
 
   if (!traceId) {
     process.stderr.write("Usage: agentcrumbs follow --trace <traceId> [--json]\n");
@@ -38,9 +39,3 @@ export async function follow(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
     }
   }
 }
-
-function getFlag(args: string[], flag: string): string | undefined {
-  const idx = args.indexOf(flag);
-  if (idx === -1 || idx + 1 >= args.length) return undefined;
-  return args[idx + 1];
-}
diff --git a/src/cli/commands/query.ts b/src/cli/commands/query.ts
@@ -3,14 +3,15 @@ import os from "node:os";
 import type { Crumb } from "../../types.js";
 import { CrumbStore } from "../../collector/store.js";
 import { formatCrumbPretty, formatCrumbJson } from "../format.js";
+import { getFlag, hasFlag } from "../args.js";
 
 export async function query(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
   const ns = getFlag(args, "--ns");
   const tag = getFlag(args, "--tag");
   const since = getFlag(args, "--since");
   const session = getFlag(args, "--session");
   const match = getFlag(args, "--match");
-  const json = args.includes("--json");
+  const json = hasFlag(args, "--json");
   const limit = parseInt(getFlag(args, "--limit") ?? "100", 10);
 
   const store = new CrumbStore(path.join(os.homedir(), ".agentcrumbs"));
@@ -79,8 +80,3 @@ function parseSince(since: string): number {
   return Date.now() - value * multipliers[unit]!;
 }
 
-function getFlag(args: string[], flag: string): string | undefined {
-  const idx = args.indexOf(flag);
-  if (idx === -1 || idx + 1 >= args.length) return undefined;
-  return args[idx + 1];
-}
diff --git a/src/cli/commands/strip.ts b/src/cli/commands/strip.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import fs from "node:fs";
 import path from "node:path";
+import { getFlag, hasFlag } from "../args.js";
 
 const SINGLE_LINE_MARKER = /\/[/*]\s*@crumbs\s*\*?\/?$/;
 const REGION_START = /^\s*\/\/\s*#region\s+@crumbs\s*$/;
@@ -9,8 +10,8 @@ const DEFAULT_EXTENSIONS = [".ts", ".tsx", ".js", ".jsx", ".mjs", ".mts"];
 const DEFAULT_IGNORE = ["node_modules", "dist", ".git", ".next", ".turbo"];
 
 export async function strip(args: string[]): Promise<void> {
-  const check = args.includes("--check");
-  const dryRun = args.includes("--dry-run");
+  const check = hasFlag(args, "--check");
+  const dryRun = hasFlag(args, "--dry-run");
   const dir = getFlag(args, "--dir") ?? process.cwd();
   const extFlag = getFlag(args, "--ext");
   const extensions = extFlag
@@ -146,9 +147,3 @@ function findFiles(dir: string, extensions: string[]): string[] {
   walk(dir);
   return results;
 }
-
-function getFlag(args: string[], flag: string): string | undefined {
-  const idx = args.indexOf(flag);
-  if (idx === -1 || idx + 1 >= args.length) return undefined;
-  return args[idx + 1];
-}