diff --git a/src/config/memory.rs b/src/config/memory.rs
index 0a30da9..0598cab 100644
--- a/src/config/memory.rs
+++ b/src/config/memory.rs
@@ -118,6 +118,14 @@ pub struct MemoryFrontmatter {
     pub description: Option<String>,
     #[serde(default, rename = "type")]
     pub kind: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub created: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub updated: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub superseded_by: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub expires: Option<String>,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
@@ -545,6 +553,7 @@ mod tests {
                 name: "test".into(),
                 description: Some("a test".into()),
                 kind: Some("user".into()),
+                ..Default::default()
             },
             body: "Hello world\nmore text".into(),
         };
diff --git a/src/config/prompts.rs b/src/config/prompts.rs
index 5beda1b..cd82f14 100644
--- a/src/config/prompts.rs
+++ b/src/config/prompts.rs
@@ -18,10 +18,16 @@ pub(crate) const DEFAULT_MEMORY_INSTRUCTIONS: &str = indoc! {"
         - `memory__read(name)`: Read a specific drill file's full content.
         - `memory__write(name, content, scope)`: Create or replace a drill file (scope: 'global' | 'workspace').
           The MEMORY.md index is appended automatically; do not also update the index by hand.
+          Optional `superseded_by` / `expires` (YYYY-MM-DD) mark a memory as stale for later cleanup.
+        - `memory__rename(name, new_name, scope)`: Rename a drill file. Its index entry and every
+          [[wikilink]] to it are rewritten automatically.
+        - `memory__delete(name, scope)`: Delete a drill file and its index entry. Reports any
+          [[wikilinks]] left dangling in other files.
         - `memory__edit_index(scope, content)`: Replace the entire MEMORY.md at the given scope.
           Use this to add always-on facts, reorganize, prune stale entries, or fix descriptions.
         - `memory__list()`: See all known drill files and their metadata.
-        - `memory__lint()`: Health-check memory for orphans, broken links, oversized files.
+        - `memory__lint()`: Health-check memory for orphans, broken links, oversized files,
+          stale (superseded/expired) files, and index descriptions that drifted from the files.
 
     RULES:
         - Every interaction has two outputs: your answer AND any memory updates the conversation warrants.
@@ -29,7 +35,11 @@ pub(crate) const DEFAULT_MEMORY_INSTRUCTIONS: &str = indoc! {"
         - All MEMORY.md edits MUST go through `memory__edit_index`. NEVER use `fs_write`, `fs_patch`,
           or any other generic file tool on MEMORY.md — Coyote manages its location and a stray
           MEMORY.md outside the managed path is invisible to memory.
-        - All drill files MUST go through `memory__write`. The index updates itself.
+        - All drill files MUST go through `memory__write`. The index updates itself. Renames and
+          deletions MUST go through `memory__rename` / `memory__delete` so links stay intact.
+        - When a fact becomes outdated, update it in place, delete it, or mark the old file with
+          `superseded_by`/`expires` so `memory__lint` flags it later. Never leave contradictory
+          memories side by side.
         - Use [[wikilink]] notation in memory files to reference other memories by their `name:` slug.
         - NEVER write secrets, credentials, or API keys to memory — memory is plaintext on disk.
           Use coyote's Vault for secrets.
diff --git a/src/function/memory.rs b/src/function/memory.rs
index 9d1c26e..65f0ac3 100644
--- a/src/function/memory.rs
+++ b/src/function/memory.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::{env, fs};
 
 use anyhow::{Context, Result, anyhow, bail};
+use chrono::Local;
 use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use serde_json::{Value, json};
 
@@ -97,6 +98,32 @@ pub fn memory_function_declarations() -> Vec<FunctionDeclaration> {
                             ..Default::default()
                         },
                     ),
+                    (
+                        "superseded_by".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some(
+                                "Optional `name:` slug of the memory that replaces this one. \
+                                 `memory__lint` flags superseded files for cleanup. Omitting this \
+                                 on overwrite clears any previous value."
+                                    .into(),
+                            ),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
+                    (
+                        "expires".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some(
+                                "Optional ISO date (YYYY-MM-DD) after which this memory is stale. \
+                                 `memory__lint` flags expired files. Omitting this on overwrite \
+                                 clears any previous value."
+                                    .into(),
+                            ),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
                 ])),
                 required: Some(vec![
                     "name".to_string(),
@@ -164,6 +191,90 @@ pub fn memory_function_declarations() -> Vec<FunctionDeclaration> {
             },
             agent: false,
         },
+        FunctionDeclaration {
+            name: format!("{MEMORY_FUNCTION_PREFIX}rename"),
+            description:
+                "Rename a memory file. Its MEMORY.md index entry and every [[wikilink]] to it in \
+                 other memory files are rewritten automatically."
+                    .to_string(),
+            parameters: JsonSchema {
+                type_value: Some("object".to_string()),
+                properties: Some(IndexMap::from([
+                    (
+                        "name".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some("Current `name:` slug of the memory file".into()),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
+                    (
+                        "new_name".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some(
+                                "New kebab-case slug for the file (no extension)".into(),
+                            ),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
+                    (
+                        "scope".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some(
+                                "Scope of the file: 'global' (user-level) or 'workspace' (project-level)"
+                                    .into(),
+                            ),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
+                ])),
+                required: Some(vec![
+                    "name".to_string(),
+                    "new_name".to_string(),
+                    "scope".to_string(),
+                ]),
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
+            agent: false,
+        },
+        FunctionDeclaration {
+            name: format!("{MEMORY_FUNCTION_PREFIX}delete"),
+            description:
+                "Delete a memory file and remove its MEMORY.md index entry. Reports any \
+                 [[wikilinks]] in other memory files left dangling by the deletion."
+                    .to_string(),
+            parameters: JsonSchema {
+                type_value: Some("object".to_string()),
+                properties: Some(IndexMap::from([
+                    (
+                        "name".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some(
+                                "The `name:` slug of the memory file to delete".into(),
+                            ),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
+                    (
+                        "scope".to_string(),
+                        JsonSchema {
+                            type_value: Some("string".to_string()),
+                            description: Some(
+                                "Scope of the file: 'global' (user-level) or 'workspace' (project-level)"
+                                    .into(),
+                            ),
+                            ..Default::default()
+                        },
+                    ),
+                ])),
+                required: Some(vec!["name".to_string(), "scope".to_string()]),
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
+            agent: false,
+        },
     ]
 }
 
@@ -214,47 +325,13 @@ pub fn handle_memory_tool(ctx: &mut RequestContext, cmd_name: &str, args: &Value
                 "workspace": store.workspace.as_ref().map(workspace_label),
             }))
         }
-        "write" => {
-            let name = arg_str(args, "name")?;
-            let description = arg_str(args, "description")?;
-            let content = arg_str(args, "content")?;
-            let scope = arg_str(args, "scope")?;
-            let kind = args.get("type").and_then(Value::as_str).map(String::from);
-
-            let target_dir = match scope.as_str() {
-                "global" => paths::global_memory_dir(),
-                "workspace" => workspace_write_dir(&store, &cwd)?,
-                other => bail!("unknown scope '{}': use 'global' or 'workspace'", other),
-            };
-            let file = MemoryFile {
-                path: target_dir.join(format!("{name}.md")),
-                frontmatter: MemoryFrontmatter {
-                    name: name.clone(),
-                    description: Some(description.clone()),
-                    kind,
-                },
-                body: content,
-            };
-            file.save()?;
-
-            let index_path = target_dir.join("MEMORY.md");
-            let index_updated = ensure_index_entry(&index_path, &name, &description)?;
-
-            Ok(json!({
-                "status": "ok",
-                "path": file.path.display().to_string(),
-                "index_path": index_path.display().to_string(),
-                "index_updated": index_updated,
-            }))
-        }
+        "write" => write_memory(&store, &cwd, args),
+        "rename" => rename_memory(&store, &cwd, args),
+        "delete" => delete_memory(&store, &cwd, args),
         "edit_index" => {
             let scope = arg_str(args, "scope")?;
             let content = arg_str(args, "content")?;
-            let target_dir = match scope.as_str() {
-                "global" => paths::global_memory_dir(),
-                "workspace" => workspace_write_dir(&store, &cwd)?,
-                other => bail!("unknown scope '{}': use 'global' or 'workspace'", other),
-            };
+            let target_dir = scope_dir(&store, &cwd, &scope)?;
             let index_path = write_memory_index(&target_dir, &content)?;
 
             Ok(json!({
@@ -267,19 +344,229 @@ pub fn handle_memory_tool(ctx: &mut RequestContext, cmd_name: &str, args: &Value
     }
 }
 
+fn write_memory(store: &MemoryStore, cwd: &Path, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    let name = arg_str(args, "name")?;
+    let description = arg_str(args, "description")?;
+    let content = arg_str(args, "content")?;
+    let scope = arg_str(args, "scope")?;
+    let kind = args.get("type").and_then(Value::as_str).map(String::from);
+    let superseded_by = args
+        .get("superseded_by")
+        .and_then(Value::as_str)
+        .map(String::from);
+    let expires = args
+        .get("expires")
+        .and_then(Value::as_str)
+        .map(String::from);
+
+    let target_dir = scope_dir(store, cwd, &scope)?;
+    let path = target_dir.join(format!("{name}.md"));
+    let previous = if path.exists() {
+        MemoryFile::load(&path).ok()
+    } else {
+        None
+    };
+    let today = today_string();
+    let created = previous
+        .as_ref()
+        .and_then(|p| p.frontmatter.created.clone())
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| today.clone());
+
+    let file = MemoryFile {
+        path,
+        frontmatter: MemoryFrontmatter {
+            name: name.clone(),
+            description: Some(description.clone()),
+            kind,
+            created: Some(created),
+            updated: Some(today),
+            superseded_by,
+            expires,
+        },
+        body: content,
+    };
+    file.save()?;
+
+    let index_path = target_dir.join("MEMORY.md");
+    let index_updated = ensure_index_entry(&index_path, &name, &description)?;
+
+    Ok(json!({
+        "status": "ok",
+        "path": file.path.display().to_string(),
+        "index_path": index_path.display().to_string(),
+        "index_updated": index_updated,
+        "replaced": previous.is_some(),
+        "previous_description": previous.and_then(|p| p.frontmatter.description),
+    }))
+}
+
+fn rename_memory(store: &MemoryStore, cwd: &Path, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    let name = arg_str(args, "name")?;
+    let new_name = arg_str(args, "new_name")?;
+    let scope = arg_str(args, "scope")?;
+    if new_name.is_empty()
+        || !new_name
+            .chars()
+            .all(|c| c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '-' || c == '_')
+    {
+        bail!(
+            "invalid new_name '{}': use a kebab-case slug (alphanumeric, hyphens, underscores)",
+            new_name
+        );
+    }
+
+    if name == new_name {
+        bail!("new_name matches the current name");
+    }
+
+    let target_dir = scope_dir(store, cwd, &scope)?;
+    let files = store.list_files()?;
+    let file = files
+        .iter()
+        .find(|f| f.path.starts_with(&target_dir) && f.frontmatter.name == name)
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("memory file '{}' not found in scope '{}'", name, scope))?
+        .clone();
+
+    if target_dir.join(format!("{new_name}.md")).exists()
+        || files
+            .iter()
+            .any(|f| f.path.starts_with(&target_dir) && f.frontmatter.name == new_name)
+    {
+        bail!(
+            "memory file '{}' already exists in scope '{}'",
+            new_name,
+            scope
+        );
+    }
+
+    let needle = format!("[[{name}]]");
+    let replacement = format!("[[{new_name}]]");
+
+    let mut renamed = file.clone();
+    renamed.path = target_dir.join(format!("{new_name}.md"));
+    renamed.frontmatter.name = new_name.clone();
+    renamed.frontmatter.updated = Some(today_string());
+    renamed.body = renamed.body.replace(&needle, &replacement);
+    renamed.save()?;
+    fs::remove_file(&file.path).with_context(|| format!("remove {}", file.path.display()))?;
+
+    let mut rewritten = Vec::new();
+    for f in &files {
+        if f.path == file.path || !f.body.contains(&needle) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let mut updated = f.clone();
+        updated.body = updated.body.replace(&needle, &replacement);
+        updated.save()?;
+        rewritten.push(f.frontmatter.name.clone());
+    }
+
+    // Own-scope index: rewrite the wikilink, drop any leftover references to the
+    // old name, and guarantee the new name is present.
+    let index_path = target_dir.join("MEMORY.md");
+    if let Ok(existing) = fs::read_to_string(&index_path)
+        && existing.contains(&needle)
+    {
+        fs::write(&index_path, existing.replace(&needle, &replacement))?;
+    }
+
+    remove_index_entry(&index_path, &name)?;
+    let description = renamed.frontmatter.description.clone().unwrap_or_default();
+    ensure_index_entry(&index_path, &new_name, &description)?;
+
+    // Other indexes (other scope's MEMORY.md, lite COYOTE.md): rewrite wikilinks only.
+    for other_index in other_index_paths(store, &target_dir) {
+        if let Ok(existing) = fs::read_to_string(&other_index)
+            && existing.contains(&needle)
+        {
+            fs::write(&other_index, existing.replace(&needle, &replacement))?;
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok(json!({
+        "status": "ok",
+        "old_path": file.path.display().to_string(),
+        "new_path": renamed.path.display().to_string(),
+        "rewritten_references": rewritten,
+    }))
+}
+
+fn delete_memory(store: &MemoryStore, cwd: &Path, args: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    let name = arg_str(args, "name")?;
+    let scope = arg_str(args, "scope")?;
+    let target_dir = scope_dir(store, cwd, &scope)?;
+    let files = store.list_files()?;
+    let file = files
+        .iter()
+        .find(|f| f.path.starts_with(&target_dir) && f.frontmatter.name == name)
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("memory file '{}' not found in scope '{}'", name, scope))?;
+    let deleted_path = file.path.clone();
+    fs::remove_file(&deleted_path).with_context(|| format!("delete {}", deleted_path.display()))?;
+
+    let index_path = target_dir.join("MEMORY.md");
+    let index_updated = remove_index_entry(&index_path, &name)?;
+
+    let dangling: Vec<String> = files
+        .iter()
+        .filter(|f| f.path != deleted_path && extract_wikilinks(&f.body).iter().any(|l| l == &name))
+        .map(|f| f.frontmatter.name.clone())
+        .collect();
+
+    Ok(json!({
+        "status": "ok",
+        "deleted_path": deleted_path.display().to_string(),
+        "index_updated": index_updated,
+        "dangling_references": dangling,
+    }))
+}
+
+fn scope_dir(store: &MemoryStore, cwd: &Path, scope: &str) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    match scope {
+        "global" => Ok(paths::global_memory_dir()),
+        "workspace" => workspace_write_dir(store, cwd),
+        other => bail!("unknown scope '{}': use 'global' or 'workspace'", other),
+    }
+}
+
+fn today_string() -> String {
+    Local::now().format("%Y-%m-%d").to_string()
+}
+
+fn other_index_paths(store: &MemoryStore, own_dir: &Path) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
+    let mut out = Vec::new();
+    let global_index = store.global_dir.join("MEMORY.md");
+    if store.global_dir.as_path() != own_dir && global_index.exists() {
+        out.push(global_index);
+    }
+
+    match &store.workspace {
+        Some(WorkspaceMemory::Structured { dir, .. }) => {
+            let index = dir.join("MEMORY.md");
+            if dir.as_path() != own_dir && index.exists() {
+                out.push(index);
+            }
+        }
+        Some(WorkspaceMemory::Lite { file, .. }) if file.exists() => {
+            out.push(file.clone());
+        }
+        _ => {}
+    }
+
+    out
+}
+
 fn write_memory_index(target_dir: &Path, content: &str) -> Result<PathBuf> {
     fs::create_dir_all(target_dir)?;
     let index_path = target_dir.join("MEMORY.md");
+
     fs::write(&index_path, content)?;
+
     Ok(index_path)
 }
 
 fn ensure_index_entry(index_path: &Path, name: &str, description: &str) -> Result<bool> {
     let existing = fs::read_to_string(index_path).unwrap_or_default();
-    let already_referenced =
-        existing.contains(&format!("[[{name}]]")) || existing.contains(&format!("{name}.md"));
-
-    if already_referenced {
+    if index_references(&existing, name) {
         return Ok(false);
     }
 
@@ -297,6 +584,40 @@ fn ensure_index_entry(index_path: &Path, name: &str, description: &str) -> Resul
     }
 
     fs::write(index_path, new_content)?;
+
+    Ok(true)
+}
+
+fn line_references(line: &str, name: &str) -> bool {
+    let file_name = format!("{name}.md");
+    line.split(|c: char| !(c.is_alphanumeric() || c == '-' || c == '_' || c == '.'))
+        .any(|token| token == file_name || token.trim_matches('.') == name)
+}
+
+fn index_references(index: &str, name: &str) -> bool {
+    index.lines().any(|line| line_references(line, name))
+}
+
+fn remove_index_entry(index_path: &Path, name: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+    let Ok(existing) = fs::read_to_string(index_path) else {
+        return Ok(false);
+    };
+    let kept: Vec<&str> = existing
+        .lines()
+        .filter(|line| !line_references(line, name))
+        .collect();
+    let mut new_content = kept.join("\n");
+
+    if existing.ends_with('\n') && !new_content.is_empty() {
+        new_content.push('\n');
+    }
+
+    if new_content == existing {
+        return Ok(false);
+    }
+
+    fs::write(index_path, new_content)?;
+
     Ok(true)
 }
 
@@ -350,9 +671,11 @@ fn workspace_label(w: &WorkspaceMemory) -> Value {
 fn lint_memory(store: &MemoryStore) -> Result<Value> {
     let files = store.list_files()?;
     let names: HashSet<&str> = files.iter().map(|f| f.frontmatter.name.as_str()).collect();
+    let today = today_string();
 
     let mut oversized = Vec::new();
     let mut broken_links = Vec::new();
+    let mut stale = Vec::new();
     for f in &files {
         if f.char_len() > PER_FILE_SOFT_CAP {
             oversized.push(json!({"name": &f.frontmatter.name, "chars": f.char_len()}));
@@ -362,16 +685,54 @@ fn lint_memory(store: &MemoryStore) -> Result<Value> {
                 broken_links.push(json!({"from": &f.frontmatter.name, "to": link}));
             }
         }
+        if let Some(target) = &f.frontmatter.superseded_by {
+            stale.push(json!({
+                "name": &f.frontmatter.name,
+                "reason": "superseded",
+                "superseded_by": target,
+                "target_exists": names.contains(target.as_str()),
+            }));
+        }
+
+        if let Some(expires) = &f.frontmatter.expires
+            && expires.as_str() < today.as_str()
+        {
+            stale.push(json!({
+                "name": &f.frontmatter.name,
+                "reason": "expired",
+                "expires": expires,
+            }));
+        }
     }
 
-    let index_content = store
-        .load_global_index()?
-        .or_else(|| store.load_workspace_index().ok().flatten())
+    let global_index = store.load_global_index()?.unwrap_or_default();
+    let workspace_index = store
+        .load_workspace_index()
+        .ok()
+        .flatten()
         .unwrap_or_default();
     let mut orphans = Vec::new();
+    let mut description_drift = Vec::new();
+
     for f in &files {
-        if !index_content.contains(&f.frontmatter.name) {
+        let index = if f.path.starts_with(&store.global_dir) {
+            &global_index
+        } else {
+            &workspace_index
+        };
+
+        if !index_references(index, &f.frontmatter.name) {
             orphans.push(f.frontmatter.name.clone());
+        } else if let (Some(index_desc), Some(file_desc)) = (
+            index_description(index, &f.frontmatter.name),
+            f.frontmatter.description.as_deref(),
+        ) && index_desc != file_desc
+        {
+            description_drift.push(json!({
+                "name": &f.frontmatter.name,
+                "index_description": index_desc,
+                "file_description": file_desc,
+            }));
         }
     }
 
@@ -380,13 +741,26 @@ fn lint_memory(store: &MemoryStore) -> Result<Value> {
         "oversized": oversized,
         "broken_wikilinks": broken_links,
         "orphans": orphans,
+        "stale": stale,
+        "description_drift": description_drift,
     }))
 }
 
+fn index_description(index: &str, name: &str) -> Option<String> {
+    let marker = format!("[[{name}]]");
+    index.lines().find_map(|line| {
+        let pos = line.find(&marker)?;
+        let rest = line[pos + marker.len()..].trim_start();
+        let desc = rest.strip_prefix(':')?.trim();
+        (!desc.is_empty()).then(|| desc.to_string())
+    })
+}
+
 fn extract_wikilinks(body: &str) -> Vec<String> {
     let mut out = Vec::new();
     let bytes = body.as_bytes();
     let mut i = 0;
+
     while i + 1 < bytes.len() {
         if bytes[i] == b'['
             && bytes[i + 1] == b'['
@@ -676,4 +1050,305 @@ mod tests {
 
         let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn line_references_requires_exact_token_match() {
+        assert!(line_references("- [[auth]]: description", "auth"));
+        assert!(line_references("- auth.md is here", "auth"));
+        assert!(line_references("- referenced", "referenced"));
+        assert!(line_references("see auth.", "auth"));
+        assert!(!line_references("- [[auth-flow]]: description", "auth"));
+        assert!(!line_references("- oauth.md legacy", "auth"));
+        assert!(!line_references("- preauth notes", "auth"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn remove_index_entry_drops_only_matching_lines() {
+        let root = temp_root("index_remove");
+        let index = root.join("MEMORY.md");
+        fs::write(
+            &index,
+            "# Memory Index\n\n- [[keep]]: stays\n- [[gone]]: removed\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        assert!(remove_index_entry(&index, "gone").unwrap());
+        let content = fs::read_to_string(&index).unwrap();
+        assert!(content.contains("[[keep]]"));
+        assert!(!content.contains("[[gone]]"));
+
+        assert!(!remove_index_entry(&index, "gone").unwrap());
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn lint_checks_orphans_against_own_scope_index() {
+        let root = temp_root("lint_scopes");
+        let global = root.join("global");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&global).unwrap();
+        fs::write(global.join("MEMORY.md"), "- [[global-note]]: g\n").unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            global.join("global-note.md"),
+            "---\nname: global-note\n---\ng\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let workspace = root.join("ws");
+        let structured = workspace.join(".coyote").join("memory");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&structured).unwrap();
+        fs::write(structured.join("MEMORY.md"), "- [[ws-note]]: w\n").unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("ws-note.md"),
+            "---\nname: ws-note\n---\nw\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let store = MemoryStore {
+            global_dir: global,
+            workspace: discover_workspace_memory(&workspace),
+        };
+
+        let report = lint_memory(&store).unwrap();
+        assert!(
+            report["orphans"].as_array().unwrap().is_empty(),
+            "expected no orphans, got: {report}"
+        );
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn lint_flags_stale_and_description_drift() {
+        let root = temp_root("lint_stale");
+        let workspace = root.join("ws");
+        let structured = workspace.join(".coyote").join("memory");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&structured).unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("MEMORY.md"),
+            "- [[old-plan]]: old\n- [[bygone]]: e\n- [[drifted]]: index says this\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("old-plan.md"),
+            "---\nname: old-plan\nsuperseded_by: new-plan\n---\nx\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("bygone.md"),
+            "---\nname: bygone\nexpires: 2000-01-01\n---\nx\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("drifted.md"),
+            "---\nname: drifted\ndescription: file says that\n---\nx\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let store = MemoryStore {
+            global_dir: root.join("nonexistent_global"),
+            workspace: discover_workspace_memory(&workspace),
+        };
+
+        let report = lint_memory(&store).unwrap();
+        let stale = report["stale"].as_array().unwrap();
+        let reasons: Vec<(&str, &str)> = stale
+            .iter()
+            .map(|v| (v["name"].as_str().unwrap(), v["reason"].as_str().unwrap()))
+            .collect();
+        assert!(reasons.contains(&("old-plan", "superseded")));
+        assert!(reasons.contains(&("bygone", "expired")));
+        let superseded = stale.iter().find(|v| v["name"] == "old-plan").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(superseded["target_exists"], false);
+
+        let drift = report["description_drift"].as_array().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(drift.len(), 1);
+        assert_eq!(drift[0]["name"], "drifted");
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn delete_memory_removes_file_index_entry_and_reports_dangling() {
+        let root = temp_root("delete");
+        let workspace = root.join("ws");
+        let structured = workspace.join(".coyote").join("memory");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&structured).unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("MEMORY.md"),
+            "# Memory Index\n\n- [[doomed]]: bye\n- [[linker]]: links\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("doomed.md"),
+            "---\nname: doomed\n---\nbye\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("linker.md"),
+            "---\nname: linker\n---\nsee [[doomed]]\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let store = MemoryStore {
+            global_dir: root.join("g"),
+            workspace: discover_workspace_memory(&workspace),
+        };
+
+        let args = json!({"name": "doomed", "scope": "workspace"});
+        let result = delete_memory(&store, &workspace, &args).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(result["status"], "ok");
+        assert_eq!(result["index_updated"], true);
+        assert!(!structured.join("doomed.md").exists());
+        let index = fs::read_to_string(structured.join("MEMORY.md")).unwrap();
+        assert!(!index.contains("doomed"));
+        assert!(index.contains("[[linker]]"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            result["dangling_references"].as_array().unwrap(),
+            &vec![json!("linker")]
+        );
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rename_memory_moves_file_and_rewrites_references() {
+        let root = temp_root("rename");
+        let workspace = root.join("ws");
+        let structured = workspace.join(".coyote").join("memory");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&structured).unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("MEMORY.md"),
+            "# Memory Index\n\n- [[old-name]]: the plan\n- [[linker]]: links\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("old-name.md"),
+            "---\nname: old-name\ndescription: the plan\n---\nself link [[old-name]]\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+        fs::write(
+            structured.join("linker.md"),
+            "---\nname: linker\n---\nsee [[old-name]] and [[old-name-extended]]\n",
+        )
+        .unwrap();
+
+        let store = MemoryStore {
+            global_dir: root.join("g"),
+            workspace: discover_workspace_memory(&workspace),
+        };
+
+        let args = json!({"name": "old-name", "new_name": "new-name", "scope": "workspace"});
+        let result = rename_memory(&store, &workspace, &args).unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(result["status"], "ok");
+        assert!(!structured.join("old-name.md").exists());
+        let renamed = MemoryFile::load(&structured.join("new-name.md")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(renamed.frontmatter.name, "new-name");
+        assert!(renamed.body.contains("[[new-name]]"));
+
+        let linker = fs::read_to_string(structured.join("linker.md")).unwrap();
+        assert!(linker.contains("[[new-name]]"));
+        assert!(
+            linker.contains("[[old-name-extended]]"),
+            "unrelated links must be untouched: {linker}"
+        );
+
+        let index = fs::read_to_string(structured.join("MEMORY.md")).unwrap();
+        assert!(index.contains("- [[new-name]]: the plan"));
+        assert!(!index.contains("[[old-name]]"));
+        assert!(index.contains("[[linker]]"));
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            result["rewritten_references"].as_array().unwrap(),
+            &vec![json!("linker")]
+        );
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn rename_memory_rejects_collisions_and_bad_slugs() {
+        let root = temp_root("rename_guard");
+        let workspace = root.join("ws");
+        let structured = workspace.join(".coyote").join("memory");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&structured).unwrap();
+        fs::write(structured.join("MEMORY.md"), "- [[a]]: a\n- [[b]]: b\n").unwrap();
+        fs::write(structured.join("a.md"), "---\nname: a\n---\nx\n").unwrap();
+        fs::write(structured.join("b.md"), "---\nname: b\n---\nx\n").unwrap();
+
+        let store = MemoryStore {
+            global_dir: root.join("g"),
+            workspace: discover_workspace_memory(&workspace),
+        };
+
+        let collision = json!({"name": "a", "new_name": "b", "scope": "workspace"});
+        let err = rename_memory(&store, &workspace, &collision).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(err.to_string().contains("already exists"));
+
+        let bad_slug = json!({"name": "a", "new_name": "bad name!", "scope": "workspace"});
+        let err = rename_memory(&store, &workspace, &bad_slug).unwrap_err();
+        assert!(err.to_string().contains("invalid new_name"));
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn write_memory_stamps_timestamps_and_reports_replacement() {
+        let root = temp_root("write_stamps");
+        let workspace = root.join("ws");
+        let structured = workspace.join(".coyote").join("memory");
+        fs::create_dir_all(&structured).unwrap();
+        fs::write(structured.join("MEMORY.md"), "# Memory Index\n").unwrap();
+
+        let store = MemoryStore {
+            global_dir: root.join("g"),
+            workspace: discover_workspace_memory(&workspace),
+        };
+
+        let first = json!({
+            "name": "fact",
+            "description": "first version",
+            "content": "body v1",
+            "scope": "workspace",
+            "expires": "2099-01-01",
+        });
+        let before = today_string();
+        let result = write_memory(&store, &workspace, &first).unwrap();
+        let after = today_string();
+        assert_eq!(result["replaced"], false);
+        assert_eq!(result["previous_description"], Value::Null);
+
+        let saved = MemoryFile::load(&structured.join("fact.md")).unwrap();
+        let created = saved.frontmatter.created.clone().expect("created stamped");
+        assert!(
+            created == before || created == after,
+            "created '{created}' should be stamped with today's date"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(saved.frontmatter.updated, Some(created.clone()));
+        assert_eq!(saved.frontmatter.expires.as_deref(), Some("2099-01-01"));
+        assert_eq!(saved.frontmatter.superseded_by, None);
+
+        let second = json!({
+            "name": "fact",
+            "description": "second version",
+            "content": "body v2",
+            "scope": "workspace",
+        });
+        let result = write_memory(&store, &workspace, &second).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(result["replaced"], true);
+        assert_eq!(result["previous_description"], "first version");
+
+        let saved = MemoryFile::load(&structured.join("fact.md")).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(
+            saved.frontmatter.created,
+            Some(created),
+            "creation date must be preserved across overwrites"
+        );
+        assert!(saved.frontmatter.updated.is_some());
+        assert_eq!(saved.frontmatter.expires, None);
+
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&root);
+    }
 }