OpenClaw memory: a workspace that remembers its work
OpenClaw is built around a workspace: instructions, user profile, memory notes, and session history. It is one of the few agent runtimes that treats memory as a first-class file system.
OpenClaw. Sources checked 2026-09-25.
How OpenClaw handles memory today
Each agent gets a workspace with AGENTS.md for continuity rules, USER.md for durable user directives, MEMORY.md for notes, and daily memory logs, per the OpenClaw docs. Sessions are stored and can be resumed.
That design is file-based and local. The published mr-memory plugin adds a MemoryRouter relay so recall and capture run in the agent loop, and the vault survives workspace moves, machine changes, and long-running work.
What OpenClaw forgets
Files are durable and shallow. Long sessions are deep and fragile.
- Session context across compaction unless something re-injects it.
- Workspace lock-in. A fresh workspace starts without the notes that made the old one useful.
- The reasoning inside tool calls, which is exactly where long agent runs live.
- Cross-agent continuity when you run more than one agent or runtime.
The fix with MemoryRouter
The mr-memory plugin wires MemoryRouter into the agent loop, so retrieval happens before model input and capture at agent end. Your workspace stays; the memory becomes durable.
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Install the plugin
Install from npm and approve the third-party source, then add your MemoryRouter key to the plugin configuration.
Install the plugin
openclaw plugins install npm:mr-memory - 2
Verify
Check status, then inspect the plugin runtime to confirm the hooks are active.
Status check
openclaw mr status - 3
Upload prior history if you have it
The plugin can upload workspace and session history so a new vault starts with the work you already did.
Import history
openclaw mr upload
Plugin install, key setup, and history import on the OpenClaw page. 14-day free trial.
Related
Full OpenClaw guide
Plugin install, key setup, and history import on the OpenClaw page. 14-day free trial.
Claude Code memory
Keep project decisions across sessions and compaction with the published hook package.
Hermes Agent memory
Swap the memory provider to MemoryRouter with a published Python package.
DeepSeek Harness memory
Install the dsh-memoryrouter plugin for durable profile-scoped memory.
OpenClaw memory FAQ
Sources
Sources checked 2026-09-25. Tool behavior changes; check the vendor docs before relying on a detail.