OpenClaw Hybrid Memory

Local-first memory for OpenClaw that stays inspectable, trustworthy, and useful over time.

Mental model first

flowchart LR
  C[Capture]
  S[Store]
  R[Recall]
  I[Inspect]
  X[Control]
  C --> S --> R --> I --> X

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Hybrid Memory keeps durable context in your control:

• Capture: facts, preferences, decisions, and recurring workflows from your usage
• Store: local SQLite + vector index with provenance metadata
• Recall: automatic and CLI-assisted retrieval when context is relevant
• Inspect: stats, search, verification, and dashboard views
• Control: explicit config modes, export, backup, and delete paths

What users ask first

Question	Answer
What gets remembered?	Facts, preferences, procedures, issues, workflows, and derived insights (depending on enabled features).
Where is it stored?	On your machine by default: SQLite + LanceDB files under your OpenClaw data paths.
How do I inspect it?	openclaw hybrid-mem verify, stats, search, export, dashboard routes, and docs-linked SQL tools.
How do I delete it?	Use CLI uninstall/cleanup paths and documented deletion + backup/restore procedures.

Trust and deletion details: docs/trust-and-privacy.md

3 ways to start

1. Quick local install (personal assistant)

Best for first-time setup and local-first defaults.

openclaw plugins install openclaw-hybrid-memory
openclaw hybrid-mem install
openclaw gateway stop && openclaw gateway start
openclaw hybrid-mem verify

Guide: docs/QUICKSTART.md

2. Trusted production install (serious operator)

Best for stable upgrades, repeatable verification, backup/restore, and operations playbooks.

openclaw hybrid-mem verify --fix
openclaw hybrid-mem stats
openclaw hybrid-mem backup --dest ./backup

Guide: docs/OPERATIONS.md

3. Multi-agent / advanced mode (research or governance-heavy teams)

Best for scoped memory, graph retrieval, workflows, crystallization, and higher automation.

openclaw hybrid-mem config-mode complete
openclaw gateway restart
openclaw hybrid-mem verify
openclaw hybrid-mem search "your query"

Guide: docs/advanced-capabilities.md

Comparison at a glance

Capability	Session-only memory	Generic vector memory	Hybrid Memory
Persists across sessions	No	Yes	Yes
Structured + semantic retrieval	No	Usually semantic-only	Yes (merged ranking)
Inspectability (stats/verify/provenance)	Low	Medium	High
Explicit trust/deletion controls	Low	Varies	High
Local-first operation	N/A	Sometimes	Yes
Multi-agent scope controls	No	Limited	Yes

Fast path docs

• docs/QUICKSTART.md: shortest successful path
• docs/trust-and-privacy.md: local-first, provenance, deletion, export
• docs/OPERATIONS.md: maintenance, backup, restore, troubleshooting
• docs/advanced-capabilities.md: graph, workflows, procedures, crystallization

Common commands

openclaw hybrid-mem verify
openclaw hybrid-mem stats
openclaw hybrid-mem search "..."
openclaw hybrid-mem export --help
openclaw hybrid-mem uninstall

Deep references (cathedral)

• docs/HOW-IT-WORKS.md
• docs/FEATURES.md
• docs/ARCHITECTURE.md
• docs/CLI-REFERENCE.md
• docs/OPERATIONS.md
• docs/SCENARIOS.md

For developers

Plugin source and manifest: extensions/memory-hybrid/README.md

License

MIT (LICENSE)