diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5d9c40a..6ef6b5f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -148,19 +148,23 @@ memory-system/
 
 ## Quick start
 
+Set the path to the memory tool once. From this repo root use `skills/memory-system/scripts/memory`; after installing the skill use your installed path (e.g. `.agents/skills/memory-system/scripts/memory`).
+
 ```bash
+MEMORY=skills/memory-system/scripts/memory   # change if installed elsewhere
+
 # from a real project root (or pass --cwd / --root)
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . init
+$MEMORY --cwd . init
 
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . write user/edge-tls.md \
+$MEMORY --cwd . write user/edge-tls.md \
   --content "# Edge TLS
 
 Terminate TLS at Envoy.
 "
 
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . search "Envoy TLS"
+$MEMORY --cwd . search "Envoy TLS"
 
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory selftest
+$MEMORY selftest
 # → "ok": true, exit 0
 ```
 
@@ -169,23 +173,25 @@ The agent loads the skill when you say *remember*, *forget*, *persist a preferen
 ### Typical agent workflow
 
 ```bash
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . root
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . glob "user/**/*.md"
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . read user/MEMORY.md
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . search "edge proxy"
+MEMORY=skills/memory-system/scripts/memory   # change if installed elsewhere
+
+$MEMORY --cwd . root
+$MEMORY --cwd . glob "user/**/*.md"
+$MEMORY --cwd . read user/MEMORY.md
+$MEMORY --cwd . search "edge proxy"
 
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory classify --text "$PAYLOAD" --hint "$INTENT" --title "$TITLE"
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory slug "$TITLE"
+$MEMORY classify --text "$PAYLOAD" --hint "$INTENT" --title "$TITLE"
+$MEMORY slug "$TITLE"
 
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . write user/<slug>.md --content-file "$TMP"
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . index-link --scope user --slug <slug> --filename <slug>.md --summary "$ONE_LINE"
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . read user/<slug>.md   # re-read is proof
+$MEMORY --cwd . write user/<slug>.md --content-file "$TMP"
+$MEMORY --cwd . index-link --scope user --slug <slug> --filename <slug>.md --summary "$ONE_LINE"
+$MEMORY --cwd . read user/<slug>.md   # re-read is proof
 
 # irreversible delete — confirm path must equal path
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . forget user/<slug>.md --confirm user/<slug>.md
+$MEMORY --cwd . forget user/<slug>.md --confirm user/<slug>.md
 
 # ledger drift? rebuild from markdown
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory --cwd . reindex
+$MEMORY --cwd . reindex
 ```
 
 ---
@@ -264,7 +270,8 @@ Development guidance and the SQLite stack rationale live in [`AGENTS.md`](AGENTS
 ## Verify
 
 ```bash
-skills/memory-system/scripts/memory selftest
+MEMORY=skills/memory-system/scripts/memory   # change if installed elsewhere
+$MEMORY selftest
 ```
 
 Must print `"ok": true` and exit `0`. The suite asserts journal mode, single-file DB (no `-wal`/`-shm`), FTS search, dual-write checksums, secret rejection, and forget purge semantics.
@@ -287,7 +294,7 @@ Must print `"ok": true` and exit `0`. The suite asserts journal mode, single-fil
 
 1. Keep Zone B (`references/memory_tool`) deterministic — do not reformat or second-guess its JSON
 2. Markdown remains the only source of truth for prose
-3. Run `skills/memory-system/scripts/memory selftest` before proposing changes that touch the tool or ledger
+3. Run `MEMORY=skills/memory-system/scripts/memory; $MEMORY selftest` before proposing changes that touch the tool or ledger
 4. Do not ship user rows, pre-filled DB binaries, WAL mode, or GUI/admin sidecars
 
 ---