OpenClaw Memory
Management Guide

Master OpenClaw's memory system: MEMORY.md files, daily logs, context retention, and advanced memory management techniques.

Learn Memory Types

Types of Memory in OpenClaw

Understanding the different memory layers in your OpenClaw agent

Working Memory

Session-based

Temporary context during conversations

Capacity: ~8,000 tokens

Features:

  • •Current conversation context
  • •Recent tool outputs
  • •Active task information
  • •Immediate user preferences

Management:

  • ▸Automatically managed by OpenClaw
  • ▸Cleared when session ends
  • ▸Limited by token window
  • ▸Focus on current interaction

Daily Memory

24 hours

Daily activity logs and summaries

Capacity: Unlimited file size

Features:

  • •Raw interaction logs
  • •Task completion records
  • •Error logs and debugging info
  • •Performance metrics

Management:

  • ▸Stored in memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
  • ▸Automatically created daily
  • ▸Includes timestamps
  • ▸Searchable content

Long-term Memory

Persistent

Curated knowledge and experiences

Capacity: Unlimited

Features:

  • •Important facts and preferences
  • •Learned behaviors and patterns
  • •Project context and history
  • •Key relationships and contacts

Management:

  • ▸Stored in MEMORY.md
  • ▸Manually curated
  • ▸Structured content
  • ▸Cross-referenced

Skill Memory

Persistent per skill

Skill-specific knowledge and context

Capacity: Varies by skill

Features:

  • •Skill configuration
  • •Learning history
  • •Custom parameters
  • •Performance data

Management:

  • ▸Stored in skill directories
  • ▸Managed by skill framework
  • ▸Version controlled
  • ▸Exportable/importable

Memory File Structure

How OpenClaw organizes and stores memory data

MEMORY.md

Central long-term memory repository

Structure:

# MEMORY.md

## Core Facts
- User: Phil Patterson, Blue Canvas AI consultancy
- Location: Derry, Northern Ireland
- Timezone: GMT/BST
- Primary goals: Business growth, automation

## Projects
### Active Projects
- Blue Canvas website optimization
- UK Trade Jobs expansion
- SEO automation workflows

### Completed Projects
- OpenClaw Consultant launch
- ClawRoster development
- Client showcase system

## Preferences & Patterns
- Communication style: Direct, informal
- Work hours: 9am-6pm GMT
- Preferred tools: OpenClaw, Vercel, Ahrefs
- Automation focus: SEO, content, lead generation

## Key Relationships
- Stacey (partner)
- Regular clients and contacts

## Learning & Insights
- What works: Practical, actionable advice
- What doesn't: Generic recommendations
- Important lessons learned

Maintenance Tips:

  • • Update weekly with key insights
  • • Remove outdated information
  • • Reorganize sections as needed
  • • Cross-reference with daily logs

memory/

Daily activity logs directory

Structure:

memory/
├── 2026-03-26.md    # Today's logs
├── 2026-03-25.md    # Yesterday's logs
├── 2026-03-24.md    # Previous day
└── archives/        # Older logs (optional)

Automation Features:

  • • Auto-generated from agent activities
  • • Timestamped entries
  • • Categorized by type
  • • Searchable format

Memory Commands

Essential CLI commands for managing OpenClaw memory

Memory Reading

openclaw memory search "keyword"

Search all memory files for specific content

Example:
openclaw memory search "client onboarding"
Output:

Returns matching entries with file locations

openclaw memory get YYYY-MM-DD

Retrieve specific daily memory file

Example:
openclaw memory get 2026-03-26
Output:

Contents of the specified daily log

openclaw memory recent --days 7

Get recent memory entries

Example:
openclaw memory recent --days 3
Output:

Last 3 days of memory entries

openclaw memory summary

Get overview of memory usage and stats

Example:
openclaw memory summary
Output:

Memory size, file count, recent activity

Memory Writing

openclaw memory log "entry"

Add entry to today's memory log

Example:
openclaw memory log "Completed client project X"
Output:

Entry added with timestamp

openclaw memory note --long-term "fact"

Add important fact to MEMORY.md

Example:
openclaw memory note --long-term "User prefers morning meetings"
Output:

Fact added to appropriate section

openclaw memory update-context

Update memory context from recent activities

Example:
openclaw memory update-context
Output:

Memory files updated with recent context

Memory Management

openclaw memory clean --days 30

Archive old memory files

Example:
openclaw memory clean --days 30
Output:

Files older than 30 days archived

openclaw memory distill

Extract key insights from daily logs to MEMORY.md

Example:
openclaw memory distill --week
Output:

Weekly insights added to long-term memory

openclaw memory export

Export memory for backup or analysis

Example:
openclaw memory export --format json
Output:

Memory data exported to specified format

Memory Strategies

Advanced techniques for optimizing your agent's memory

Hierarchical Memory

Organize memory by importance and frequency

Implementation:

  • •Store frequently accessed info in MEMORY.md
  • •Keep detailed logs in daily files
  • •Archive old information periodically
  • •Cross-reference between layers

Benefits:

  • ✓Faster information retrieval
  • ✓Better context preservation
  • ✓Reduced memory overhead
  • ✓Improved agent performance

Contextual Tagging

Tag memory entries with relevant context

Implementation:

  • •Use consistent hashtags (#project, #client)
  • •Add category markers ([TASK], [INSIGHT])
  • •Include relationship indicators (@person)
  • •Apply priority levels (HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW)

Benefits:

  • ✓Enhanced searchability
  • ✓Better organization
  • ✓Improved recall accuracy
  • ✓Context-aware responses

Memory Consolidation

Regularly merge and refine memory content

Implementation:

  • •Weekly review of daily logs
  • •Extract key patterns and insights
  • •Update MEMORY.md with important facts
  • •Remove outdated information

Benefits:

  • ✓Reduced information overload
  • ✓Improved memory quality
  • ✓Better long-term retention
  • ✓More relevant context

Associative Memory

Link related memories for better recall

Implementation:

  • •Create cross-references between entries
  • •Link related projects and tasks
  • •Connect people with their preferences
  • •Associate outcomes with methods

Benefits:

  • ✓Enhanced understanding
  • ✓Better pattern recognition
  • ✓Improved decision making
  • ✓Contextual awareness

Automated Memory Workflows

Set up automated memory management workflows

Daily Memory Processing

0 23 * * *

Automated daily memory management

Workflow Actions:

  • 1.Extract key events from today's activities
  • 2.Categorize and tag important entries
  • 3.Update relevant sections in MEMORY.md
  • 4.Clean up and organize daily log
  • 5.Prepare summary for tomorrow's context

Configuration:

{
  "name": "daily-memory-process",
  "schedule": "0 23 * * *",
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "memory-extract",
      "source": "today-logs",
      "categories": ["tasks", "insights", "issues"]
    },
    {
      "type": "memory-update",
      "target": "MEMORY.md",
      "sections": ["recent-activity", "current-projects"]
    },
    {
      "type": "memory-clean",
      "optimize": true
    }
  ]
}

Weekly Memory Consolidation

0 20 * * 0

Comprehensive weekly memory review

Workflow Actions:

  • 1.Review all daily logs from the past week
  • 2.Identify patterns and recurring themes
  • 3.Update long-term memory with insights
  • 4.Archive completed projects
  • 5.Plan next week's priorities

Configuration:

{
  "name": "weekly-memory-review",
  "schedule": "0 20 * * 0",
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "memory-analyze",
      "timeframe": "7days",
      "extract": ["patterns", "insights", "outcomes"]
    },
    {
      "type": "memory-consolidate",
      "target": "MEMORY.md",
      "update-sections": ["key-insights", "project-status"]
    },
    {
      "type": "memory-archive",
      "criteria": "completed-projects"
    }
  ]
}

Context-Aware Responses

Use memory for better user interactions

Workflow Actions:

  • 1.Check recent memory for relevant context
  • 2.Search long-term memory for user preferences
  • 3.Apply context to response generation
  • 4.Log interaction for future reference

Configuration:

{
  "name": "context-response",
  "trigger": "user-message",
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "memory-search",
      "query": "{{ user_message }}",
      "sources": ["MEMORY.md", "recent-logs"]
    },
    {
      "type": "context-apply",
      "memory": "search-results",
      "response": "enhanced"
    },
    {
      "type": "memory-log",
      "entry": "user-interaction",
      "context": "response-given"
    }
  ]
}

Memory Optimization

Memory Compression

Reduce memory size while preserving key information

Methods:

  • •Summarize long entries into key points
  • •Remove redundant information
  • •Use abbreviations for frequent terms
  • •Archive old, rarely-accessed data

Selective Retention

Keep only the most relevant information

Methods:

  • •Score entries by importance and frequency
  • •Automatically delete low-value entries
  • •Prioritize recent and relevant information
  • •Maintain critical facts regardless of age

Context Prediction

Predict what information will be needed

Methods:

  • •Analyze usage patterns
  • •Pre-load likely-needed context
  • •Cache frequently accessed information
  • •Optimize memory layout for access patterns

Memory Indexing

Create efficient indexes for fast retrieval

Methods:

  • •Build keyword indexes
  • •Create category mappings
  • •Maintain relationship graphs
  • •Use timestamp-based indexing

Troubleshooting Memory Issues

Memory Files Growing Too Large

Symptoms:

  • •Slow memory searches
  • •Large file sizes
  • •Performance degradation

Solutions:

  • ✓Implement regular archiving (openclaw memory clean)
  • ✓Use memory compression techniques
  • ✓Split large files by time period
  • ✓Remove redundant entries regularly

Context Not Being Retained

Symptoms:

  • •Agent doesn't remember previous conversations
  • •Repeated questions about same topics
  • •Loss of user preferences

Solutions:

  • ✓Check MEMORY.md is being updated
  • ✓Verify memory logging is working
  • ✓Review memory search functionality
  • ✓Ensure proper context loading

Memory Search Not Working

Symptoms:

  • •No results for known information
  • •Slow search responses
  • •Incorrect search results

Solutions:

  • ✓Rebuild search indexes
  • ✓Check file permissions
  • ✓Verify search query format
  • ✓Update search algorithms

Need Help with
Memory Management?

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  • ✓Memory architecture design
  • ✓Optimization strategies
  • ✓Performance troubleshooting

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