diff --git a/ccw/src/core/core-memory-store.ts b/ccw/src/core/core-memory-store.ts
index 6d4f6ebc..68c4976e 100644
--- a/ccw/src/core/core-memory-store.ts
+++ b/ccw/src/core/core-memory-store.ts
@@ -1383,6 +1383,55 @@ export function getMemoriesFromProject(projectId: string): CoreMemory[] {
   }));
 }
 
+/**
+ * Find a memory by ID across all projects
+ * Searches through all project databases to locate a specific memory
+ */
+export function findMemoryAcrossProjects(memoryId: string): { memory: CoreMemory; projectId: string } | null {
+  const projectsDir = join(getCCWHome(), 'projects');
+
+  if (!existsSync(projectsDir)) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  const entries = readdirSync(projectsDir, { withFileTypes: true });
+
+  for (const entry of entries) {
+    if (!entry.isDirectory()) continue;
+
+    const projectId = entry.name;
+    const coreMemoryDb = join(projectsDir, projectId, 'core-memory', 'core_memory.db');
+
+    if (!existsSync(coreMemoryDb)) continue;
+
+    try {
+      const db = new Database(coreMemoryDb, { readonly: true });
+      const row = db.prepare('SELECT * FROM memories WHERE id = ?').get(memoryId) as any;
+      db.close();
+
+      if (row) {
+        return {
+          memory: {
+            id: row.id,
+            content: row.content,
+            summary: row.summary || '',
+            raw_output: row.raw_output,
+            created_at: row.created_at,
+            updated_at: row.updated_at,
+            archived: Boolean(row.archived),
+            metadata: row.metadata
+          },
+          projectId
+        };
+      }
+    } catch {
+      // Database might be locked or corrupted, skip
+    }
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
+
 /**
  * Export memories to a JSON file
  */
diff --git a/ccw/src/tools/core-memory.ts b/ccw/src/tools/core-memory.ts
index caa8dfaf..6f5166dc 100644
--- a/ccw/src/tools/core-memory.ts
+++ b/ccw/src/tools/core-memory.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 import { z } from 'zod';
 import type { ToolSchema, ToolResult } from '../types/tool.js';
-import { getCoreMemoryStore } from '../core/core-memory-store.js';
+import { getCoreMemoryStore, findMemoryAcrossProjects } from '../core/core-memory-store.js';
 import * as MemoryEmbedder from '../core/memory-embedder-bridge.js';
 import { StoragePaths } from '../config/storage-paths.js';
 import { join } from 'path';
@@ -41,9 +41,17 @@ interface CoreMemory {
   updated_at: string;
 }
 
+/** Compact memory info for list operation */
+interface CoreMemoryCompact {
+  id: string;
+  preview: string;  // Truncated content/summary preview
+  archived: boolean;
+  updated_at: string;
+}
+
 interface ListResult {
   operation: 'list';
-  memories: CoreMemory[];
+  memories: CoreMemoryCompact[];
   total: number;
 }
 
@@ -112,18 +120,36 @@ function getDatabasePath(): string {
   return join(paths.root, 'core-memory', 'core_memory.db');
 }
 
+/** Max preview length for list operation */
+const PREVIEW_MAX_LENGTH = 100;
+
 /**
  * Operation: list
- * List all memories
+ * List all memories with compact output
  */
 function executeList(params: Params): ListResult {
   const { limit } = params;
   const store = getCoreMemoryStore(getProjectPath());
   const memories = store.getMemories({ limit }) as CoreMemory[];
 
+  // Convert to compact format with truncated preview
+  const compactMemories: CoreMemoryCompact[] = memories.map((m) => {
+    const source = m.summary || m.content;
+    const preview = source.length > PREVIEW_MAX_LENGTH
+      ? source.substring(0, PREVIEW_MAX_LENGTH) + '...'
+      : source;
+
+    return {
+      id: m.id,
+      preview,
+      archived: m.archived,
+      updated_at: m.updated_at,
+    };
+  });
+
   return {
     operation: 'list',
-    memories,
+    memories: compactMemories,
     total: memories.length,
   };
 }
@@ -154,6 +180,7 @@ function executeImport(params: Params): ImportResult {
 /**
  * Operation: export
  * Export a memory as plain text
+ * Searches current project first, then all projects if not found
  */
 function executeExport(params: Params): ExportResult {
   const { id } = params;
@@ -162,11 +189,20 @@ function executeExport(params: Params): ExportResult {
     throw new Error('Parameter "id" is required for export operation');
   }
 
+  // Try current project first
   const store = getCoreMemoryStore(getProjectPath());
-  const memory = store.getMemory(id);
+  let memory = store.getMemory(id);
+
+  // If not found, search across all projects
+  if (!memory) {
+    const result = findMemoryAcrossProjects(id);
+    if (result) {
+      memory = result.memory;
+    }
+  }
 
   if (!memory) {
-    throw new Error(`Memory "${id}" not found`);
+    throw new Error(`Memory "${id}" not found in any project`);
   }
 
   return {