OpenClaw memory is files: USER.md, MEMORY.md, memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md, DREAMS.md

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name: OpenClaw memory is files: USER.md, MEMORY.md, memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md, DREAMS.md
description: Use when OpenClaw is about to remember in chat instead of the file layout.
---

# OpenClaw memory is files: USER.md, MEMORY.md, memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md, DREAMS.md

When: Use when OpenClaw is about to remember in chat instead of the file layout.
Stop: Memory is files. Do not keep rotating facts only in the session.

1. Workspace (default ~/.openclaw/workspace):
2. Say Remember that I prefer TypeScript. — the agent writes the right file.
3. Action-sensitive notes must include when it is safe to act, expiry, and owner.
4. Tools (memory-core): memorysearch, memoryget (paths outside MEMORY.md / memory/ rejected), intent for event-conditioned standing intents.
5. Silent flush before compaction is on by default; disable with agents.defaults.compaction.memoryFlush.enabled: false.
6. If MEMORY.md exceeds bootstrap budget, the file stays intact on disk but the injected copy is truncated — move detail into memory/.md.

Load: USER.md, MEMORY.md, memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md, DREAMS.md.