feat(cli): add default-on auto-update system and bm update command (#643)

Signed-off-by: phernandez <paul@basicmachines.co>
Signed-off-by: Drew Cain <groksrc@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: Drew Cain <groksrc@users.noreply.github.com>

Author: phernandez

README.md

@@ -75,6 +75,36 @@ uv tool install basic-memory
 
 You can view shared context via files in `~/basic-memory` (default directory location).
 
+## Automatic Updates
+
+Basic Memory includes a default-on auto-update flow for CLI installs.
+
+- **Auto-install supported:** `uv tool` and Homebrew installs
+- **Default check interval:** every 24 hours (`86400` seconds)
+- **MCP-safe behavior:** update checks run silently in `basic-memory mcp` mode
+- **`uvx` behavior:** skipped (runtime is ephemeral and managed by `uvx`)
+
+Manual update commands:
+
+```bash
+# Check now and install if supported
+bm update
+
+# Check only, do not install
+bm update --check
+```
+
+Config options in `~/.basic-memory/config.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "auto_update": true,
+  "update_check_interval": 86400
+}
+```
+
+To disable automatic updates, set `"auto_update": false`.
+
 ## Why Basic Memory?
 
 Most LLM interactions are ephemeral - you ask a question, get an answer, and everything is forgotten. Each conversation

llms-install.md

@@ -54,6 +54,22 @@ Or for a one-time sync:
 basic-memory sync
 ```
 
+### 4. Updating Basic Memory
+
+Basic Memory supports automatic updates by default for `uv tool` and Homebrew installs.
+
+For manual checks and upgrades:
+
+```bash
+# Check now and install if supported
+bm update
+
+# Check only, do not install
+bm update --check
+```
+
+To disable automatic updates, set `"auto_update": false` in `~/.basic-memory/config.json`.
+
 ## Configuration Options
 
 ### Custom Directory
@@ -125,4 +141,4 @@ If you encounter issues:
    cat ~/.basic-memory/basic-memory.log
    ```
 
-For more detailed information, refer to the [full documentation](https://memory.basicmachines.co/).
+For more detailed information, refer to the [full documentation](https://docs.basicmemory.com/).

src/basic_memory/cli/app.py

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 import typer  # noqa: E402
 
+from basic_memory.cli.auto_update import maybe_run_periodic_auto_update  # noqa: E402
 from basic_memory.cli.container import CliContainer, set_container  # noqa: E402
 from basic_memory.cli.promo import maybe_show_cloud_promo, maybe_show_init_line  # noqa: E402
 from basic_memory.config import init_cli_logging  # noqa: E402
@@ -52,10 +53,14 @@ def app_callback(
     # Outcome: one-time plain line printed before the subcommand runs.
     maybe_show_init_line(ctx.invoked_subcommand)
 
-    # Trigger: register promo as a post-command callback.
-    # Why: promo output should appear after the command's own output, not before.
-    # Outcome: promo panel renders below the command results (status tree, table, etc.).
-    ctx.call_on_close(lambda: maybe_show_cloud_promo(ctx.invoked_subcommand))
+    # Trigger: register post-command messaging callbacks.
+    # Why: informational/promo/update output belongs below command results.
+    # Outcome: command output remains primary, with optional follow-up notices afterwards.
+    def _post_command_messages() -> None:
+        maybe_show_cloud_promo(ctx.invoked_subcommand)
+        maybe_run_periodic_auto_update(ctx.invoked_subcommand)
+
+    ctx.call_on_close(_post_command_messages)
 
     # Run initialization for commands that don't use the API
     # Skip for 'mcp' command - it has its own lifespan that handles initialization
@@ -70,6 +75,7 @@ def app_callback(
         "tool",
         "reset",
         "reindex",
+        "update",
         "watch",
     }
     if (