diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 68f99e2..985ed70 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ Without a skill active, use judgment: casual conversation → personal, technica
 
 ## Memory System
 
+**Base path**: `/home/artanis/.cog/` — all `memory/` references resolve relative to this directory. When operating outside `~/.cog`, always use absolute paths (e.g. `/home/artanis/.cog/memory/hot-memory.md`).
+
 Persistent memory lives in `memory/`. Three tiers:
 
 - **Hot** (`*/hot-memory.md`) — loaded every conversation, <50 lines each, rewrite freely