The most transformative use of OpenClaw isn't automation. It's memory. An AI that remembers everything you tell it, connects new information to old, and retrieves exactly what's relevant when you need it — that's a different relationship with AI than a chatbot that forgets you each session.
Here's how to build it deliberately.
The Core Idea
Most AI tools have no memory. You re-explain your context every time. You lose the thread of ongoing projects. You can't build on past conversations.
OpenClaw's persistent memory changes this. Every conversation is stored locally. When you ask something, relevant past knowledge is retrieved and added to context automatically. Over time, OpenClaw builds a model of your projects, preferences, decisions, and knowledge — and uses it to give better, more contextual responses.
Used intentionally, this becomes a second brain: an external system that extends what you can hold in your head.
Setting Up Your Memory Architecture
Tagging Convention
Before you start storing knowledge, decide on tags. Consistent tags make retrieval reliable:
#project-[name] — project-specific notes
#decision — choices made and reasoning
#idea — shower thoughts, half-formed ideas
#research — facts, sources, findings
#person-[name] — notes about people
#process — how-to knowledge, workflows
#open — unresolved questions
#reference — facts to look up regularly
Store your tagging convention in SOUL.md:
## Memory Conventions
When I store something, apply these tags:
- Use #project-[name] for anything project-specific
- Use #decision for choices made with reasoning
- Use #idea for things I want to revisit
- Always ask "should I remember this?" for significant things I share
Memory Structure Templates
Train OpenClaw to store knowledge in consistent structures:
Decision record:
Remember this decision:
Context: [situation]
Decision: [what was decided]
Reasons: [why]
Trade-offs accepted: [what was given up]
Date: [today]
Tags: #decision #project-[name]
Idea capture:
Remember this idea:
Idea: [description]
Triggered by: [what sparked it]
Potential applications: [initial thoughts]
Status: #open
Tags: #idea #[relevant domain]
Research note:
Remember this:
Source: [where this came from]
Finding: [what you learned]
Confidence: [high/medium/low — is this verified?]
Relevant to: #project-[name] #research
Building Knowledge Over Time
Project Context
At the start of a new project:
Start a new project in my memory: [project name]
Context: [what it is, why it matters, who's involved]
Current status: [where things stand]
Key decisions already made: [list]
Open questions: [list]
Tag everything with #project-[name]
As the project evolves:
Update project [name]:
New decision: [decision with reasoning]
Status change: [what changed]
This supersedes: [what was true before, if anything]
Personal Knowledge Base
For domain knowledge you want to accumulate over time:
Remember this:
Topic: [subject area]
Key insight: [the thing you learned]
Source: [where it came from]
This updates my understanding of: [related concepts]
Tag: #research #[domain]
Later: "What do I know about [topic]?" gets you everything you've stored, connected and contextual.
Retrieval Patterns
The quality of your second brain depends as much on retrieval as storage. These prompts get the best results:
Project Status Check
Give me a full status update on [project name]:
- What's the current state?
- What decisions have been made?
- What's still open?
- What should I be thinking about next?
Knowledge Connection
I'm thinking about [new topic/problem].
What do I already know that's relevant?
Are there past decisions or notes that connect to this?
Decision Review
Show me all decisions I've made about [project/topic].
Are there any that contradict each other?
Which ones might I want to revisit given [current situation]?
Idea Archaeology
Show me ideas I've stored that I haven't acted on yet.
Filter by: #project-[name] or #idea
Oldest first.
Integration with Existing Note Systems
Notion as Structured Storage
If you use Notion as your primary note system:
integrations:
notion:
token: "secret_..."
knowledge_base_id: "your-database-id"
Save this to my Notion knowledge base:
Title: [title]
Content: [content]
Tags: [tags]
OpenClaw can both write to Notion and read from it when building context.
Obsidian as Plain Text Vault
Configure file access to your Obsidian vault:
integrations:
filesystem:
allowed_paths:
- "/Users/yourname/Obsidian/My Vault"
allowed_extensions: [".md"]
Create a note in my Obsidian vault:
Filename: [YYYY-MM-DD - title.md]
Content: [formatted markdown]
OpenClaw can also read existing notes:
Read my Obsidian note on [topic] and summarise the key points.
Memory Hygiene
A second brain only works if the information in it is clean and current. Monthly maintenance routine:
Monthly Memory Audit
Review everything stored with #open tag.
For each item:
- Is it still relevant?
- Has it been resolved?
- Should I keep, update, or archive it?
List them and I'll tell you what to do with each.
Project Archiving
When a project ends:
Archive the project [name]:
1. Write a one-paragraph conclusion summary
2. Move all #project-[name] memories to archived status
3. Keep only decisions and lessons learned as active memories
4. Tag the archive: #archived-project-[name]
Contradiction Check
Scan my memories for any contradictions or outdated information about [topic].
Flag anything that conflicts with more recent notes.
What Makes This Different from Just Talking to ChatGPT
| ChatGPT | OpenClaw Second Brain | |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | Session only | Permanent, local |
| Context building | Starts fresh each session | Builds over months/years |
| Knowledge connection | No past context | Connects across all stored knowledge |
| Action on knowledge | Suggests only | Can file, remind, create, notify |
| Data location | OpenAI cloud | Your machine |
| Search | Per-session | Across all history |
The compounding effect matters. After 6 months of consistent use, OpenClaw has hundreds of interconnected decisions, ideas, and facts about your work and life. The quality of its context for any given question is fundamentally better than a fresh session with any chatbot.
Related reading: