Memory & Context
How OpenClaw remembers useful context and how to improve it
Memory helps your OpenClaw bot stay useful across conversations.
A normal chatbot forgets most things after the chat ends. OpenClaw can keep important context in plain Markdown files, so your assistant can remember preferences, decisions, project details, and working notes.
Why Memory Matters
Good memory makes your assistant better because it can:
- remember who you are and how you work
- keep track of project decisions
- avoid asking the same questions again
- continue work across sessions
- follow your preferred style and rules
- use past context when helping with new tasks
Without memory, every conversation starts from zero.
How OpenClaw Stores Memory
OpenClaw memory is file-based. The most common files are:
MEMORY.md
Long-term memory for durable facts, preferences, and decisions.
memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
Daily notes for recent work, raw context, and session history.
AGENTS.md
Operating rules and instructions for how the assistant should work.
SOUL.md
Tone, personality, boundaries, and response style.
These files live in the OpenClaw workspace and can be updated over time.
Memory vs Context
Memory and context are related, but not the same.
- Memory is saved information that should last.
- Context is the information available during the current task.
For example, your preferred timezone belongs in memory. A file you uploaded for one task is current context.
How to Improve Memory
You can improve memory by being clear about what should be saved.
Good examples:
Remember that I prefer short answers with clear next actions.Remember that Ampere docs should stay simple and customer-facing.Remember this project decision: pricing names should come from the frontend source file.What to Save
Save things that will matter again:
- names and preferences
- business goals
- project rules
- important decisions
- repo paths and source-of-truth files
- lessons learned from mistakes
- recurring workflows
Do not save one-time clutter unless it will help later.
Keep Memory Clean
Useful memory should be short, accurate, and current.
A good rule:
- daily notes can be messy
- long-term memory should be curated
If something changes, update the memory instead of keeping old facts forever.
How Ampere Helps
Ampere gives you a managed OpenClaw environment where memory, files, skills, channels, and sessions can work together without you managing the full OpenClaw setup yourself.