# Persistent Memory Hygiene

> Keeps OpenClaw's memory store clean, structured, and useful. Use at session end and during periodic maintenance.

- Skill: `archieindian/persistent-memory-hygiene` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add archieindian/persistent-memory-hygiene`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/archieindian/persistent-memory-hygiene/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: archieindian (https://skillmd.com/u/archieindian)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/archieindian/persistent-memory-hygiene

---


# Persistent Memory Hygiene

State file: `~/.openclaw/skill-state/persistent-memory-hygiene/state.yaml`

## Memory Structure

```
memory/
  YYYY-MM-DD.md    # Daily notes - raw, comprehensive
MEMORY.md          # Long-term - curated, distilled
```

## When to Write

Write to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md when:
- Completing a significant task
- Making a decision with reasoning
- Encountering a notable error and its fix
- At checkpoints on long tasks

Write to MEMORY.md when:
- Something is worth remembering across months
- A user preference has been established
- A pattern has been confirmed

## Session Closing Routine

```
## [HH:MM] Session End
- Completed: [what was finished]
- In progress: [what was started]
- Next: [what to do next session]
- Decisions: [choices made and why]
```

After writing, update state: `last_cleaned_at`, `memory_line_count`, `daily_file_count`, `last_daily_file`, `status: done`.

## Hygiene Rules

- Daily files: write raw, append-only, never edit old entries
- MEMORY.md: review periodically, remove stale entries, keep under 500 lines

## Cron Wakeup Behavior

On 11pm wakeup:
- Read state file
- If `last_cleaned_at` is today's date: skip (already ran)
- Otherwise: run Session Closing Routine, update state