9 · Memory and context

Context is the information visible to the model during the current turn. Durable memory is saved information that can be retrieved later. Neither guarantees perfect recall.

Useful workspace files

• AGENTS.md: operating instructions.
• SOUL.md and USER.md: behavior and user context.
• MEMORY.md and dated memory notes: durable facts and events, where configured.
• HEARTBEAT.md: a bounded periodic checklist when heartbeats are enabled.

A project STATE.md can be a useful handoff convention, but it is not a universal built-in memory layer. Loading and retrieval depend on the runtime and memory configuration. Optional context-management or vector-memory plugins are not guaranteed to be installed.

Ask for facts worth keeping

Save decisions, preferences, next actions, and references to verified artifacts. Do not save secret values. Distinguish an attempted task from a completed task; a file path, message receipt, or verified result is more useful than “done.”

openclaw memory status

When recall is uncertain, ask the assistant to search relevant notes and report missing or stale context. Keep private memory out of shared conversations; multiple agents sharing a host are not automatically a security boundary.