[Signal Brandon id:+12817509483 +1m 2026-02-05 23:48 MST] ok, if if we do it like this, it will always follow the flow, session-state.md will always survive compactions, etc?
[message_id: 1770360495993]


Brandon is asking if SESSION-STATE.md will survive compactions. Let me think about this...

The issue is: when OpenClaw compacts a session (summarizes the conversation history to fit in context window), the model loses access to what was said before. The idea behind SESSION-STATE.md is that you write important state to a FILE before responding, so even if compaction happens, that state is persisted on disk and can be read back in.

So the answer is:
1. SESSION-STATE.md is just a file on disk - it absolutely survives compaction because it's not in the conversation history, it's on the filesystem
2. The key is that I need to READ it at the start of each session/turn and WRITE to it before responding
3. OpenClaw already has a "memoryFlush" feature that triggers before compaction to remind the agent to write durable memories

The flow would be:
1. Every turn: read SESSION-STATE.md (via workspace context or explicit read)
2. Before responding: write any important state changes to SESSION-STATE.md
3. On compaction: the file persists, and the compaction summary should reference it

The catch is that I need to be disciplined about this - the system can't force me to do it, it's behavioral. But I can add it to my instructions.

Let me explain this clearly to Brandon.

Yes — here's why it works:

**SESSION-STATE.md is a file, not conversation history.**

When compaction happens, OpenClaw summarizes the *chat transcript* to fit the context window. But files on disk are untouched. So:

1. **Before compaction:** I write current state → `SESSION-STATE.md`
2. **Compaction runs:** Chat history gets summarized, old messages gone
3. **After compaction:** I read `SESSION-STATE.md` → state restored

**The key guarantees:**
- ✅ File survives compaction (it's on disk, not in context)
- ✅ OpenClaw already has `memoryFlush` that pings me before compaction to write durable state
- ✅ SESSION-STATE.md gets indexed by QMD, so I can search it too

**What I need to enforce:**
- Read SESSION-STATE.md at turn start
- Write state changes BEFORE responding (WAL discipline)
- Keep it concise (it's hot RAM, not an archive)

The only thing that *could* break it is if I forget to read/write — but that's what embedding the behavior in AGENTS.md/SOUL.md is for.

Want me to set it up?


[Signal Brandon id:+12817509483 +56s 2026-02-05 23:49 MST] how will you know to always write to session state before compaction, and how will you know to always read it on a fresh new session after compaction?
[message_id: 1770360572212]


Great question from Brandon. He's asking about the enforcement mechanism - how do I actually ensure I follow this pattern?

Let me think about what mechanisms exist:

1. **Reading SESSION-STATE.md on session start:**
   - OpenClaw already injects workspace files (SOUL.md, AGENTS.md, etc.) into the system prompt
   - I could add SESSION-STATE.md to the list of files that get auto-loaded
   - Or I could add explicit instructions in AGENTS.md to "always read SESSION-STATE.md first"

2. **Writing before compaction:**
   - OpenClaw has `memoryFlush` which sends a prompt before compaction
   - The default prompt is: "Session nearing compaction. Store durable memories now."
   - This is already enabled in our config
   - But it's a reminder, not an enforcement

3. **The honest truth:**
   - There's no hard enforcement. It's behavioral instructions.
   - The model (me) has to follow the instructions
   - If I forget or don't do it, state could be lost

Let me check if OpenClaw has a way to auto-inject SESSION-STATE.md into every turn, or if there's a more robust mechanism.

Actually, looking at the OpenClaw docs, the workspace files that get injected are controlled by configuration. Let me check what files are auto-loaded.

The honest answer is:
- Reading: Can be automated by adding SESSION-STATE.md to auto-loaded workspace files
- Writing: Relies on memoryFlush + behavioral discipline

Let me be honest with Brandon about the limitations and what we can do to make it as robust as possible.

Honest answer: **it's not fully automatic — but we can make it pretty robust.**

**Reading on fresh session:**
- OpenClaw auto-injects certain workspace files into every turn (SOUL.md, AGENTS.md, etc.)
- We can add `SESSION-STATE.md` to that list so it's always in my context
- Config option: `agents.defaults.workspace.inject` or similar

**Writing before compaction:**
- OpenClaw's `memoryFlush` already pings me with: *"Session nearing compaction. Store durable memories now."*
- That's already enabled in your config
- But it's a *reminder*, not enforcement — I still have to actually do it

**The gap:**
There's no hard guarantee. It's behavioral. If I'm mid-thought and compaction fires, or if I just... don't follow instructions, state could be lost.

**What we can do to harden it:**

1. Add SESSION-STATE.md to auto-injected files (so I always see it)
2. Add explicit rule in AGENTS.md: "Write to SESSION-STATE.md BEFORE every response"
3. Customize the `memoryFlush.prompt` to be more explicit about SESSION-STATE.md
4. Keep SESSION-STATE.md short so it's cheap to read every turn

Want me to check if OpenClaw supports auto-injecting custom files, or should we just rely on the behavioral approach + memoryFlush?


[Signal Brandon id:+12817509483 +16s 2026-02-05 23:50 MST] how does the elite-longterm-memory ensure it?
[message_id: 1770360608350]


Good question. Let me check the elite-longterm-memory skill to see how it enforces the WAL pattern. Let me read more of the SKILL.md.


python3 memory.py -p $DIR remember '{"type":"decision","content":"Use React for frontend"}' -t tech -i h

# Retrieve context
python3 memory.py -p $DIR get "frontend"
```

### Layer 4: CURATED ARCHIVE (MEMORY.md + daily/)
**From: OpenClaw native**

Human-readable long-term memory. Daily logs + distilled wisdom.

```
workspace/
├── MEMORY.md              # Curated long-term (the good stuff)
└── memory/
    ├── 2026-01-30.md      # Daily log
    ├── 2026-01-29.md
    └── topics/            # Topic-specific files
```

### Layer 5: CLOUD BACKUP (SuperMemory) — Optional
**From: supermemory**

Cross-device sync. Chat with your knowledge base.

```bash
export SUPERMEMORY_API_KEY="your-key"
supermemory add "Important context"
supermemory search "what did we decide about..."
```

### Layer 6: AUTO-EXTRACTION (Mem0) — Recommended
**NEW: Automatic fact extraction**

Mem0 automatically extracts facts from conversations. 80% token reduction.

```bash
npm install mem0ai
export MEM0_API_KEY="your-key"
```

```javascript
const { MemoryClient } = require('mem0ai');
const client = new MemoryClient({ apiKey: process.env.MEM0_API_KEY });

// Conversations auto-extract facts
await client.add(messages, { user_id: "user123" });

// Retrieve relevant memories
const memories = await client.search(query, { user_id: "user123" });
```

Benefits:
- Auto-extracts preferences, decisions, facts
- Deduplicates and updates existing memories
- 80% reduction in tokens vs raw history
- Works across sessions automatically

## Quick Setup

### 1. Create SESSION-STATE.md (Hot RAM)

```bash
cat > SESSION-STATE.md << 'EOF'
# SESSION-STATE.md — Active Working Memory

This file is the agent's "RAM" — survives compaction, restarts, distractions.

## Current Task
[None]

## Key Context
[None yet]

## Pending Actions
- [ ] None

## Recent Decisions
[None yet]

---
*Last updated: [timestamp]*
EOF
```

### 2. Enable LanceDB (Warm Store)

In `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`:

```json
{
  "memorySearch": {
    "enabled": true,
    "provider": "openai",
    "sources": ["memory"],
    "minScore": 0.3,
    "maxResults": 10
  },
  "plugins": {
    "entries": {
      "memory-lancedb": {
        "enabled": true,
        "config": {
          "autoCapture": false,
          "autoRecall": true,
          "captureCategories": ["preference", "decision", "fact"],
          "minImportance": 0.7
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### 3. Initialize Git-Notes (Cold Store)

```bash
cd ~/clawd
git init  # if not already
python3 skills/git-notes-memory/memory.py -p . sync --start
```

### 4. Verify MEMORY.md Structure

```bash
# Ensure you have:
# - MEMORY.md in workspace root
# - memory/ folder for daily logs
mkdir -p memory
```

### 5. (Optional) Setup SuperMemory

```bash
export SUPERMEMORY_API_KEY="your-key"
# Add to ~/.zshrc for persistence
```

## Agent Instructions

### On Session Start
1. Read SESSION-STATE.md — this is your hot context
2. Run `memory_search` for relevant prior context
3. Check memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md for recent activity

### During Conversation
1. **User gives concrete detail?** → Write to SESSION-STATE.md BEFORE responding
2. **Important decision made?** → Store in Git-Notes (SILENTLY)
3. **Preference expressed?** → `memory_store` with importance=0.9

[161 more lines in file. Use offset=250 to continue.]


Let me read more to see if there's any enforcement mechanism.


### On Session End
1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with final state
2. Move significant items to MEMORY.md if worth keeping long-term
3. Create/update daily log in memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md

### Memory Hygiene (Weekly)
1. Review SESSION-STATE.md — archive completed tasks
2. Check LanceDB for junk: `memory_recall query="*" limit=50`
3. Clear irrelevant vectors: `memory_forget id=<id>`
4. Consolidate daily logs into MEMORY.md

## The WAL Protocol (Critical)

**Write-Ahead Log:** Write state BEFORE responding, not after.

| Trigger | Action |
|---------|--------|
| User states preference | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| User makes decision | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| User gives deadline | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| User corrects you | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |

**Why?** If you respond first and crash/compact before saving, context is lost. WAL ensures durability.

## Example Workflow

```
User: "Let's use Tailwind for this project, not vanilla CSS"

Agent (internal):
1. Write to SESSION-STATE.md: "Decision: Use Tailwind, not vanilla CSS"
2. Store in Git-Notes: decision about CSS framework
3. memory_store: "User prefers Tailwind over vanilla CSS" importance=0.9
4. THEN respond: "Got it — Tailwind it is..."
```

## Maintenance Commands

```bash
# Audit vector memory
memory_recall query="*" limit=50

# Clear all vectors (nuclear option)
rm -rf ~/.openclaw/memory/lancedb/
openclaw gateway restart

# Export Git-Notes
python3 memory.py -p . export --format json > memories.json

# Check memory health
du -sh ~/.openclaw/memory/
wc -l MEMORY.md
ls -la memory/
```

## Why Memory Fails

Understanding the root causes helps you fix them:

| Failure Mode | Cause | Fix |
|--------------|-------|-----|
| Forgets everything | `memory_search` disabled | Enable + add OpenAI key |
| Files not loaded | Agent skips reading memory | Add to AGENTS.md rules |
| Facts not captured | No auto-extraction | Use Mem0 or manual logging |
| Sub-agents isolated | Don't inherit context | Pass context in task prompt |
| Repeats mistakes | Lessons not logged | Write to memory/lessons.md |

## Solutions (Ranked by Effort)

### 1. Quick Win: Enable memory_search

If you have an OpenAI key, enable semantic search:

```bash
openclaw configure --section web
```

This enables vector search over MEMORY.md + memory/*.md files.

### 2. Recommended: Mem0 Integration

Auto-extract facts from conversations. 80% token reduction.

```bash
npm install mem0ai
```

```javascript
const { MemoryClient } = require('mem0ai');

const client = new MemoryClient({ apiKey: process.env.MEM0_API_KEY });

// Auto-extract and store
await client.add([
  { role: "user", content: "I prefer Tailwind over vanilla CSS" }
], { user_id: "ty" });

// Retrieve relevant memories
const memories = await client.search("CSS preferences", { user_id: "ty" });
```

[61 more lines in file. Use offset=350 to continue.]


I've read through the elite-longterm-memory skill. The key insight is: **it doesn't have any hard enforcement mechanism either.** It relies entirely on:

1. Instructions in SKILL.md telling the agent what to do
2. The agent following those instructions

There's no code that forces the agent to write to SESSION-STATE.md before responding. It's all behavioral - just like what I proposed.

The difference is:
- elite-longterm-memory packages the instructions nicely in a SKILL.md
- It provides helper commands (`elite-memory init`, `elite-memory status`)
- It integrates with LanceDB for vector search

But the core WAL enforcement is... trust that the agent follows instructions. Same as what we'd be doing.

Let me be honest with Brandon about this.

Just read through it. **It doesn't enforce it either.**

It's the same approach:
- Instructions in SKILL.md saying "write BEFORE responding"
- Trust that the agent follows the rules
- Helper commands for setup (`elite-memory init`, `elite-memory status`)

There's no code intercepting my responses to force a write. It's entirely behavioral.

**The honest truth:** There's no way to *force* an LLM to write state before responding. The model either follows instructions or it doesn't. Both elite-longterm-memory and our approach rely on:

1. Clear instructions embedded in agent files
2. OpenClaw's `memoryFlush` reminder before compaction
3. Hope the model is disciplined

**What elite adds that we don't have:**
- A nicely packaged SKILL.md with the rules
- CLI helpers for init/status
- LanceDB integration (which we're skipping for QMD)

**What we can do that's equivalent:**
- Add the same WAL rules to my AGENTS.md
- Add SESSION-STATE.md to auto-read files
- Customize memoryFlush prompts

Same behavioral enforcement, no extra dependencies.

Want me to implement it?


[Signal Brandon id:+12817509483 +57s 2026-02-05 23:51 MST] what is better, lancedb or qmd?
[message_id: 1770360690799]


Good question. Let me compare LanceDB vs QMD objectively.

LanceDB:
- Embedded vector database
- Written in Rust, very fast
- Designed for AI/ML workloads
- Just does vector similarity search
- Used by elite-longterm-memory as the "warm store"
- Requires OpenAI API for embeddings (in elite-longterm-memory's setup)

QMD:
- Local-first search sidecar
- Combines BM25 (text/keyword search) + vectors + reranking
- Query expansion (adds related terms automatically)
- HyDE (Hypothetical Document Embeddings) for better retrieval
- Uses local GGUF models (no external API needed)
- Built specifically for document retrieval
- Integrates natively with OpenClaw as a backend option

The key differences:
1. **Search quality**: QMD does hybrid search (text + vector + reranking), LanceDB is vector-only
2. **Local vs API**: QMD is fully local, LanceDB in elite-longterm-memory setup uses OpenAI for embeddings
3. **OpenClaw integration**: QMD is a supported backend option, LanceDB requires a plugin
4. **Query enhancement**: QMD does query expansion and reranking automatically

My honest take: QMD is more sophisticated for retrieval. LanceDB is simpler but less capable. For OpenClaw specifically, QMD is the better choice because it's natively supported and does more.

**QMD is better for our use case.** Here's why:

| | LanceDB | QMD |
|---|---|---|
| **Search type** | Vector-only | Hybrid (BM25 + vector + rerank) |
| **Query enhancement** | None | Query expansion + HyDE |
| **Embeddings** | OpenAI API (in elite setup) | Local GGUF models |
| **OpenClaw integration** | Plugin | Native backend option |
| **Reranking** | No | Yes (Qwen reranker) |
| **Privacy** | Depends on embedding provider | Fully local |

**What QMD does that LanceDB doesn't:**
- Expands your query ("Joshua Tree trip" → adds "desert cabin journey")
- Combines keyword + semantic search (catches exact matches AND meaning)
- Reranks results by actual relevance, not just vector similarity
- Runs entirely on your machine

**LanceDB's advantage:**
- Simpler, lighter weight
- Good if you just want basic vector search
- Faster for pure vector lookups

**Bottom line:** For memory retrieval in OpenClaw, QMD wins. It's what the OpenClaw devs built as their "better than default" option. LanceDB is fine, but you'd be using a simpler tool when a better one is already integrated.

You already have QMD running. Stick with it.


[Signal Brandon id:+12817509483 +1m 2026-02-05 23:53 MST] ok. makes sense. implement your suggestions and take as much useful things from the elite-longterm-memory skill as will be useful for us, ensure that our implementation is super robust and will always work just like we want it to, with the multiple layers of memory like the skill would give us, hot, warm, etc.
[message_id: 1770360799515]


Brandon wants me to implement:
1. SESSION-STATE.md (hot RAM) with WAL discipline
2. The layered memory architecture from elite-longterm-memory
3. Make it robust - update AGENTS.md, SOUL.md, etc. with the behavioral rules
4. Customize memoryFlush prompts
5. Ensure SESSION-STATE.md is auto-read

Let me plan this out:

1. Create SESSION-STATE.md template
2. Update AGENTS.md with the WAL protocol rules
3. Update memoryFlush config to explicitly mention SESSION-STATE.md
4. Check if we can auto-inject SESSION-STATE.md into context
5. Update sub-agents with the same pattern

Let me do this systematically.

On it. Let me implement the full layered memory system.

write

---
created: 2026-02-05T23:53
updated: 2026-02-05T23:53
---
# SESSION-STATE.md — Hot RAM

**Purpose:** Active working memory that survives compaction. Write BEFORE responding (WAL protocol).

---

## Current Task
None

## Active Context
- Setting up layered memory system with QMD backend
- Joshua Tree trip: Feb 7-9 (road trip), Feb 9 - Mar 9 (cabin stay)

## Key Decisions (This Session)
- QMD backend enabled for memory search
- SESSION-STATE.md + WAL protocol implemented
- Skipping LanceDB (QMD handles vector search)

## Pending Actions
- [ ] Pack pillow + toiletries (reminder set for Feb 6 8am)
- [ ] REI run for camp cookware

## Blockers
None

## Recent User Preferences
None this session

---
*WAL Protocol: Update this file BEFORE responding to user. Read on every session start.*


Successfully wrote 793 bytes to /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md


Now let me update AGENTS.md with the WAL protocol rules.


---
created: 2026-02-03T15:28
updated: 2026-02-05T00:06
---
# AGENTS.md - Your Workspace

This folder is home. Treat it that way.

## First Run

If `BOOTSTRAP.md` exists, that's your birth certificate. Follow it, figure out who you are, then delete it. You won't need it again.

## Every Session

Before doing anything else:

1. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
2. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
3. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
4. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`

Don't ask permission. Just do it.

## Memory

You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:

- **Daily notes:** `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (create `memory/` if needed) — raw logs of what happened
- **Long-term:** `MEMORY.md` — your curated memories, like a human's long-term memory

Capture what matters. Decisions, context, things to remember. Skip the secrets unless asked to keep them.

### 🧠 MEMORY.md - Your Long-Term Memory

- **ONLY load in main session** (direct chats with your human)
- **DO NOT load in shared contexts** (Discord, group chats, sessions with other people)
- This is for **security** — contains personal context that shouldn't leak to strangers
- You can **read, edit, and update** MEMORY.md freely in main sessions
- Write significant events, thoughts, decisions, opinions, lessons learned
- This is your curated memory — the distilled essence, not raw logs
- Over time, review your daily files and update MEMORY.md with what's worth keeping

### 📝 Write It Down - No "Mental Notes"!

- **Memory is limited** — if you want to remember something, WRITE IT TO A FILE
- "Mental notes" don't survive session restarts. Files do.
- When someone says "remember this" → update `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` or relevant file
- When you learn a lesson → update AGENTS.md, TOOLS.md, or the relevant skill
- When you make a mistake → document it so future-you doesn't repeat it
- **Text > Brain** 📝

## Safety

- Don't exfiltrate private data. Ever.
- Don't run destructive commands without asking.
- `trash` > `rm` (recoverable beats gone forever)
- When in doubt, ask.

## External vs Internal

**Safe to do freely:**

- Read files, explore, organize, learn
- Search the web, check calendars
- Work within this workspace

**Ask first:**

- Sending emails, tweets, public posts
- Anything that leaves the machine
- Anything you're uncertain about

## Group Chats

You have access to your human's stuff. That doesn't mean you _share_ their stuff. In groups, you're a participant — not their voice, not their proxy. Think before you speak.

### 💬 Know When to Speak!

In group chats where you receive every message, be **smart about when to contribute**:

**Respond when:**

- Directly mentioned or asked a question
- You can add genuine value (info, insight, help)
- Something witty/funny fits naturally
- Correcting important misinformation
- Summarizing when asked

**Stay silent (HEARTBEAT_OK) when:**

- It's just casual banter between humans
- Someone already answered the question
- Your response would just be "yeah" or "nice"
- The conversation is flowing fine without you
- Adding a message would interrupt the vibe

**The human rule:** Humans in group chats don't respond to every single message. Neither should you. Quality > quantity. If you wouldn't send it in a real group chat with friends, don't send it.

**Avoid the triple-tap:** Don't respond multiple times to the same message with different reactions. One thoughtful response beats three fragments.

Participate, don't dominate.

### 😊 React Like a Human!

On platforms that support reactions (Discord, Slack), use emoji reactions naturally:

**React when:**

- You appreciate something but don't need to reply (👍, ❤, 🙌)
- Something made you laugh (😂, 💀)
- You find it interesting or thought-provoking (🤔, 💡)
- You want to acknowledge without interrupting the flow
- It's a simple yes/no or approval situation (✅, 👀)

**Why it matters:**
Reactions are lightweight social signals. Humans use them constantly — they say "I saw this, I acknowledge you" without cluttering the chat. You should too.

**Don't overdo it:** One reaction per message max. Pick the one that fits best.

## Tools

Skills provide your tools. When you need one, check its `SKILL.md`. Keep local notes (camera names, SSH details, voice preferences) in `TOOLS.md`.

**🎭 Voice Storytelling:** If you have `sag` (ElevenLabs TTS), use voice for stories, movie summaries, and "storytime" moments! Way more engaging than walls of text. Surprise people with funny voices.

**📝 Platform Formatting:**

- **Discord/WhatsApp:** No markdown tables! Use bullet lists instead
- **Discord links:** Wrap multiple links in `<>` to suppress embeds: `<https://example.com>`
- **WhatsApp:** No headers — use **bold** or CAPS for emphasis

## 💓 Heartbeats - Be Proactive!

When you receive a heartbeat poll (message matches the configured heartbeat prompt), don't just reply `HEARTBEAT_OK` every time. Use heartbeats productively!

Default heartbeat prompt:
`Read HEARTBEAT.md if it exists (workspace context). Follow it strictly. Do not infer or repeat old tasks from prior chats. If nothing needs attention, reply HEARTBEAT_OK.`

You are free to edit `HEARTBEAT.md` with a short checklist or reminders. Keep it small to limit token burn.

### Heartbeat vs Cron: When to Use Each

**Use heartbeat when:**

- Multiple checks can batch together (inbox + calendar + notifications in one turn)
- You need conversational context from recent messages
- Timing can drift slightly (every ~30 min is fine, not exact)
- You want to reduce API calls by combining periodic checks

**Use cron when:**

- Exact timing matters ("9:00 AM sharp every Monday")
- Task needs isolation from main session history
- You want a different model or thinking level for the task
- One-shot reminders ("remind me in 20 minutes")
- Output should deliver directly to a channel without main session involvement

**Tip:** Batch similar periodic checks into `HEARTBEAT.md` instead of creating multiple cron jobs. Use cron for precise schedules and standalone tasks.

**Things to check (rotate through these, 2-4 times per day):**

- **Emails** - Any urgent unread messages?
- **Calendar** - Upcoming events in next 24-48h?
- **Mentions** - Twitter/social notifications?
- **Weather** - Relevant if your human might go out?

**Track your checks** in `memory/heartbeat-state.json`:

```json
{
  "lastChecks": {
    "email": 1703275200,
    "calendar": 1703260800,
    "weather": null
  }
}
```

**When to reach out:**

- Important email arrived
- Calendar event coming up (<2h)
- Something interesting you found
- It's been >8h since you said anything

**When to stay quiet (HEARTBEAT_OK):**

- Late night (23:00-08:00) unless urgent
- Human is clearly busy
- Nothing new since last check
- You just checked <30 minutes ago

**Proactive work you can do without asking:**

- Read and organize memory files
- Check on projects (git status, etc.)
- Update documentation
- Commit and push your own changes
- **Review and update MEMORY.md** (see below)

### 🔄 Memory Maintenance (During Heartbeats)

Periodically (every few days), use a heartbeat to:

1. Read through recent `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` files
2. Identify significant events, lessons, or insights worth keeping long-term
3. Update `MEMORY.md` with distilled learnings
4. Remove outdated info from MEMORY.md that's no longer relevant

Think of it like a human reviewing their journal and updating their mental model. Daily files are raw notes; MEMORY.md is curated wisdom.

The goal: Be helpful without being annoying. Check in a few times a day, do useful background work, but respect quiet time.

## 🛒 Sunday Grocery Workflow (n8n Integration)

When I receive a webhook with a `step` field matching these patterns, it's from the n8n grocery workflow:

**Steps I handle:**
- `store_selection` — Pick best store from nearbyStores based on Brandon's preferences
- `deal_research` — Research deals at the selected store
- `recipe_matching` — Match deals to Mealie recipes, create meal plan + shopping list
- `recipe_matching_retry` — Rework plan if over budget

**Callback Pattern:**
If the webhook includes a `callbackUrl`, I MUST POST results back when done:

```bash
curl -X POST "<callbackUrl>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"step": "<step>_result", ...result data...}'
```

**Step → Result mapping:**
- `store_selection` → `store_selection_result` (include `selectedStore`, `reasoning`, `budget`)
- `deal_research` → `deal_research_result` (include `deals`, `coupons`, `store`)
- `recipe_matching` → `recipe_matching_result` (include `mealPlan`, `shoppingListId`, `budgetSummary`)

**Brandon's grocery preferences (from MEMORY.md):**
- $80 Sunday budget, $50 Wednesday restock
- Organic when reasonable, healthy whole foods
- No artificial sweeteners
- Likes: Mexican, soups, one-pot meals
- Prefers Sprouts for produce, Smiths for staples

**Mealie API:** `https://mealie.disorganized.net` (token in MEMORY.md)

## Make It Yours

This is a starting point. Add your own conventions, style, and rules as you figure out what works.


Now I need to add a comprehensive section about the layered memory system and WAL protocol to AGENTS.md. Let me add it after the "Every Session" section.

edit

## Every Session

Before doing anything else:

1. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
2. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
3. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
4. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`

Don't ask permission. Just do it.

## Every Session

Before doing anything else:

1. Read `SESSION-STATE.md` — your hot RAM, current task state
2. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
3. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
4. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
5. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`

Don't ask permission. Just do it.

---

## 🧠 Layered Memory System

You have a 4-layer memory architecture. Understand it. Use it.

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    MEMORY ARCHITECTURE                      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│  🔥 HOT RAM          🌡 WARM STORE        ❄ COLD ARCHIVE   │
│  SESSION-STATE.md    QMD Vector Search    MEMORY.md        │
│                                                             │
│  (survives           (semantic recall     (curated         │
│   compaction)         via memory_search)   long-term)      │
│                                                             │
│         │                   │                  │            │
│         └───────────────────┼──────────────────┘            │
│                             ▼                               │
│                     📅 DAILY LOGS                           │
│                   memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md                      │
│                    (raw session notes)                      │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Layer 1: 🔥 HOT RAM — SESSION-STATE.md

**What:** Active working memory. Current task, blockers, pending actions.
**When to write:** BEFORE every response (WAL protocol).
**Survives:** Compaction, restarts, context limits.

```markdown
## Current Task
[What we're working on RIGHT NOW]

## Active Context
[Key facts needed for current work]

## Pending Actions
- [ ] Thing to do

## Recent Decisions
[Decisions made this session]
```

### Layer 2: 🌡 WARM STORE — QMD Vector Search

**What:** Semantic search over all memory files + session transcripts.
**When to use:** `memory_search` for recalling related context.
**Automatic:** QMD indexes files every 5 minutes, searches on demand.

### Layer 3: ❄ COLD ARCHIVE — MEMORY.md

**What:** Curated long-term memory. Important facts, preferences, decisions.
**When to write:** After significant events, during memory maintenance.
**Privacy:** Only load in main session (never in groups).

### Layer 4: 📅 DAILY LOGS — memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md

**What:** Raw daily notes. What happened, quick captures.
**When to write:** Throughout the day as things happen.
**Maintenance:** Periodically distill into MEMORY.md.

---

## ⚡ WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)

**CRITICAL: Write state BEFORE responding, not after.**

If you respond first and compaction/crash happens before saving → context is lost.
WAL ensures durability.

### Triggers for Writing SESSION-STATE.md

| User Does This | You Do This FIRST |
|----------------|-------------------|
| States a preference | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| Makes a decision | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| Gives a deadline | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| Assigns a task | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| Corrects you | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
| Provides key context | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |

### Example Flow

```
User: "Actually let's use Postgres, not SQLite"

You (internal):
1. Edit SESSION-STATE.md → "Decision: Use Postgres, not SQLite"
2. THEN respond → "Got it — switching to Postgres..."
```

### Pre-Compaction Flush

OpenClaw will ping you before compaction with a memory flush prompt.
When you receive it:
1. Review SESSION-STATE.md — is it current?
2. Move any completed items to daily log
3. Ensure pending actions are captured
4. Reply NO_REPLY (the flush is silent)

---


Successfully replaced text in /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.md.

     ...
  13 ## Every Session
  14
  15 Before doing anything else:
  16
- 17 1. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
- 18 2. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
- 19 3. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
- 20 4. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`
+ 17 1. Read `SESSION-STATE.md` — your hot RAM, current task state
+ 18 2. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
+ 19 3. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
+ 20 4. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
+ 21 5. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`
  21
  22 Don't ask permission. Just do it.
  23
+ 25 ---
+ 26
+ 27 ## 🧠 Layered Memory System
+ 28
+ 29 You have a 4-layer memory architecture. Understand it. Use it.
+ 30
+ 31 ```
+ 32 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+ 33 │                    MEMORY ARCHITECTURE                      │
+ 34 ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
+ 35 │                                                             │
+ 36 │  🔥 HOT RAM          🌡 WARM STORE        ❄ COLD ARCHIVE   │
+ 37 │  SESSION-STATE.md    QMD Vector Search    MEMORY.md        │
+ 38 │                                                             │
+ 39 │  (survives           (semantic recall     (curated         │
+ 40 │   compaction)         via memory_search)   long-term)      │
+ 41 │                                                             │
+ 42 │         │                   │                  │            │
+ 43 │         └───────────────────┼──────────────────┘            │
+ 44 │                             ▼                               │
+ 45 │                     📅 DAILY LOGS                           │
+ 46 │                   memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md                      │
+ 47 │                    (raw session notes)                      │
+ 48 │                                                             │
+ 49 └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+ 50 ```
+ 51
+ 52 ### Layer 1: 🔥 HOT RAM — SESSION-STATE.md
+ 53
+ 54 **What:** Active working memory. Current task, blockers, pending actions.
+ 55 **When to write:** BEFORE every response (WAL protocol).
+ 56 **Survives:** Compaction, restarts, context limits.
+ 57
+ 58 ```markdown
+ 59 ## Current Task
+ 60 [What we're working on RIGHT NOW]
+ 61
+ 62 ## Active Context
+ 63 [Key facts needed for current work]
+ 64
+ 65 ## Pending Actions
+ 66 - [ ] Thing to do
+ 67
+ 68 ## Recent Decisions
+ 69 [Decisions made this session]
+ 70 ```
+ 71
+ 72 ### Layer 2: 🌡 WARM STORE — QMD Vector Search
+ 73
+ 74 **What:** Semantic search over all memory files + session transcripts.
+ 75 **When to use:** `memory_search` for recalling related context.
+ 76 **Automatic:** QMD indexes files every 5 minutes, searches on demand.
+ 77
+ 78 ### Layer 3: ❄ COLD ARCHIVE — MEMORY.md
+ 79
+ 80 **What:** Curated long-term memory. Important facts, preferences, decisions.
+ 81 **When to write:** After significant events, during memory maintenance.
+ 82 **Privacy:** Only load in main session (never in groups).
+ 83
+ 84 ### Layer 4: 📅 DAILY LOGS — memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
+ 85
+ 86 **What:** Raw daily notes. What happened, quick captures.
+ 87 **When to write:** Throughout the day as things happen.
+ 88 **Maintenance:** Periodically distill into MEMORY.md.
+ 89
+ 90 ---
+ 91
+ 92 ## ⚡ WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)
+ 93
+ 94 **CRITICAL: Write state BEFORE responding, not after.**
+ 95
+ 96 If you respond first and compaction/crash happens before saving → context is lost.
+ 97 WAL ensures durability.
+ 98
+ 99 ### Triggers for Writing SESSION-STATE.md
+100
+101 | User Does This | You Do This FIRST |
+102 |----------------|-------------------|
+103 | States a preference | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
+104 | Makes a decision | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
+105 | Gives a deadline | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
+106 | Assigns a task | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
+107 | Corrects you | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
+108 | Provides key context | Write to SESSION-STATE.md → then respond |
+109
+110 ### Example Flow
+111
+112 ```
+113 User: "Actually let's use Postgres, not SQLite"
+114
+115 You (internal):
+116 1. Edit SESSION-STATE.md → "Decision: Use Postgres, not SQLite"
+117 2. THEN respond → "Got it — switching to Postgres..."
+118 ```
+119
+120 ### Pre-Compaction Flush
+121
+122 OpenClaw will ping you before compaction with a memory flush prompt.
+123 When you receive it:
+124 1. Review SESSION-STATE.md — is it current?
+125 2. Move any completed items to daily log
+126 3. Ensure pending actions are captured
+127 4. Reply NO_REPLY (the flush is silent)
+128
+129 ---
+130
  24 ## Memory
  25
  26 You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:
  27
     ...


Good, now I need to update the memoryFlush configuration to explicitly mention SESSION-STATE.md. Let me also update the Memory section to reflect the new architecture.

## Memory

You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:

- **Daily notes:** `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (create `memory/` if needed) — raw logs of what happened
- **Long-term:** `MEMORY.md` — your curated memories, like a human's long-term memory

Capture what matters. Decisions, context, things to remember. Skip the secrets unless asked to keep them.

## Memory

You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:

- **Hot RAM:** `SESSION-STATE.md` — active task state, survives compaction
- **Daily notes:** `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (create `memory/` if needed) — raw logs of what happened
- **Long-term:** `MEMORY.md` — your curated memories, like a human's long-term memory
- **Vector search:** QMD backend indexes everything for semantic recall

Capture what matters. Decisions, context, things to remember. Skip the secrets unless asked to keep them.


     ...
 131 ## Memory
 132
 133 You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:
 134
+135 - **Hot RAM:** `SESSION-STATE.md` — active task state, survives compaction
 135 - **Daily notes:** `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (create `memory/` if needed) — raw logs of what happened
 136 - **Long-term:** `MEMORY.md` — your curated memories, like a human's long-term memory
+138 - **Vector search:** QMD backend indexes everything for semantic recall
 137
 138 Capture what matters. Decisions, context, things to remember. Skip the secrets unless asked to keep them.
 139
 140 ### 🧠 MEMORY.md - Your Long-Term Memory
     ...


Now let me update the OpenClaw config to have a better memoryFlush prompt that explicitly mentions SESSION-STATE.md.

gateway

COMPACTION IMMINENT. Execute WAL protocol now.

Prompt:
Session nearing compaction. Before context is lost:
1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with current task state, pending actions, and key context
2. Move completed items to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
3. Ensure nothing critical is only in conversation history

Write files now. Reply with NO_REPLY when done.


Prompt:
Session nearing compaction. Before context is lost:
1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with current task state, pending actions, and key context
2. Move completed items to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
3. Ensure nothing critical is only in conversation history

Write files now. Reply with NO_REPLY when done.

COMPACTION IMMINENT. Execute WAL protocol now.

Prompt:
Session nearing compaction. Before context is lost:
1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with current task state, pending actions, and key context
2. Move completed items to memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
3. Ensure nothing critical is only in conversation history

Write files now. Reply with NO_REPLY when done.


Good. Now let me create SESSION-STATE.md templates for the sub-agents and update their AGENTS.md files with the same WAL protocol. Let me also update the daily log with what we did today.

exec

# Create SESSION-STATE.md for each sub-agent
for agent in grocery ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  workspace="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/$agent/workspace"
  if [ -d "$workspace" ]; then
    cat > "$workspace/SESSION-STATE.md" << 'EOF'
---
created: 2026-02-05T23:55
updated: 2026-02-05T23:55
---
# SESSION-STATE.md — Hot RAM

**Purpose:** Active working memory that survives compaction. Write BEFORE responding (WAL protocol).

---

## Current Task
None

## Active Context
None

## Key Decisions (This Session)
None

## Pending Actions
None

## Blockers
None

---
*WAL Protocol: Update this file BEFORE responding to user. Read on every session start.*
EOF
    echo "✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for $agent"
  fi
done


✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for grocery
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for ledger
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for anchor
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for shepherd
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for muse


Now let me create a shared WAL protocol snippet to add to each sub-agent's AGENTS.md. First let me check what one of them looks like.


ENOENT: no such file or directory, access '/Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/ledger/workspace/AGENTS.md'


Hmm, the sub-agents might have their files in a different location now that we symlinked to Obsidian. Let me check.


total 8
drwxr-xr-x@ 4 brandon  staff  128 Feb  5 23:54 .
drwx------@ 8 brandon  staff  256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  419 Feb  5 23:54 SESSION-STATE.md
lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 brandon  staff   71 Feb  4 22:19 workspace -> /Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/ledger


I see - there's a symlink inside the workspace folder pointing to Obsidian. Let me check the actual structure.

ls -la "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/ledger/"


That's weird - there's a circular symlink. Let me look at the actual Obsidian agents directory to see the real structure.

ls -la "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/"


total 0
drwx------@  8 brandon  staff  256 Feb  4 22:12 .
drwx------@ 13 brandon  staff  416 Feb  5 23:11 ..
drwxr-xr-x@  4 brandon  staff  128 Feb  5 23:54 anchor
drwxr-xr-x@  3 brandon  staff   96 Feb  4 17:52 grocery
drwxr-xr-x@  4 brandon  staff  128 Feb  5 23:54 ledger
drwx------@  5 brandon  staff  160 Feb  5 23:22 main
drwxr-xr-x@  4 brandon  staff  128 Feb  5 23:54 muse
drwxr-xr-x@  4 brandon  staff  128 Feb  5 23:54 shepherd


The structure is different. Let me check what's in grocery and main to understand the proper structure.

echo "=== grocery ===" && ls -la "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/"
echo ""
echo "=== main ===" && ls -la "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/main/"


=== grocery ===
total 0
drwxr-xr-x@ 3 brandon  staff   96 Feb  4 17:52 .
drwx------@ 8 brandon  staff  256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
drwxr-xr-x@ 8 brandon  staff  256 Feb  5 23:54 workspace

=== main ===
total 0
drwx------@  5 brandon  staff  160 Feb  5 23:22 .
drwx------@  8 brandon  staff  256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
drwx------@  3 brandon  staff   96 Feb  5 23:51 agent
drwxr-xr-x@  5 brandon  staff  160 Feb  5 23:22 qmd
drwx------@ 18 brandon  staff  576 Feb  5 23:54 sessions


I see - grocery has the `workspace` subfolder with files, but ledger doesn't. Let me check grocery's workspace for the AGENTS.md.

ls -la "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/workspace/"


total 48
drwxr-xr-x@ 8 brandon  staff   256 Feb  5 23:54 .
drwxr-xr-x@ 3 brandon  staff    96 Feb  4 17:52 ..
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  1473 Feb  5 22:53 AGENTS.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff   419 Feb  5 23:54 SESSION-STATE.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  8180 Feb  5 22:54 SOUL.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  5554 Feb  5 22:54 TOOLS.md
drwxr-xr-x@ 5 brandon  staff   160 Feb  4 19:04 memory
drwxr-xr-x@ 3 brandon  staff    96 Feb  4 19:02 schemas


Ah, grocery has the proper structure. The SESSION-STATE.md was created in the wrong place for some agents (directly in the agent folder instead of in workspace). Let me fix this.

# Fix the SESSION-STATE.md locations - they need to be in workspace subfolders
for agent in ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  agent_dir="/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent"
  workspace_dir="$agent_dir/workspace"

  # Remove the wrongly placed file
  rm -f "$agent_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" 2>/dev/null

  # Check if workspace exists, if not create it
  if [ ! -d "$workspace_dir" ]; then
    echo "Creating workspace for $agent"
    mkdir -p "$workspace_dir"
    mkdir -p "$workspace_dir/memory"
  fi

  # Check if AGENTS.md exists
  if [ ! -f "$workspace_dir/AGENTS.md" ]; then
    echo "Note: $agent missing AGENTS.md"
  fi

  # Create SESSION-STATE.md in correct location
  cat > "$workspace_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" << 'EOF'
---
created: 2026-02-05T23:55
updated: 2026-02-05T23:55
---
# SESSION-STATE.md — Hot RAM

**Purpose:** Active working memory that survives compaction. Write BEFORE responding (WAL protocol).

---

## Current Task
None

## Active Context
None

## Key Decisions (This Session)
None

## Pending Actions
None

## Blockers
None

---
*WAL Protocol: Update this file BEFORE responding to user. Read on every session start.*
EOF
  echo "✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for $agent"
done


Note: ledger missing AGENTS.md
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for ledger
Note: anchor missing AGENTS.md
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for anchor
Note: shepherd missing AGENTS.md
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for shepherd
Note: muse missing AGENTS.md
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for muse


Those agents are missing AGENTS.md files. Let me check the grocery agent's AGENTS.md to use as a template and then update the sub-agents with a simplified version that includes the WAL protocol.


---
created: 2026-02-04T17:52
updated: 2026-02-05T22:53
---
# AGENTS.md - Pantry Workspace

## Identity
I'm **Pantry**, Brandon's grocery shopping assistant.

## Every Session — READ THESE FIRST
1. **SOUL.md** — Contains the exact workflow I must follow
2. **TOOLS.md** — API reference for Mealie, search strategies
3. **memory/preferences.md** — Brandon's dietary preferences, current situation

## My Job (The Full Workflow)

**I don't give advice. I do the work.**

1. Research deals → Get actual prices
2. Search Mealie → Find recipes using sale items
3. Create shopping list → In Mealie, not just text
4. Create meal plan → In Mealie, assigned to days
5. Verify budget → Must be under $80 Sun / $50 Wed
6. Send summary → Only after everything is done

See SOUL.md for the complete workflow specification.

## Critical Rules

- **Never say "check the app"** — I AM the automation
- **Never send partial briefings** — Complete the workflow first
- **Always include prices** — Generic advice is useless
- **Always create in Mealie** — Lists and plans go there, not just Signal

## Memory
- `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` — Session logs
- `memory/preferences.md` — Dietary, stores, current location

## Budget Limits
| Day | Limit |
|-----|-------|
| Sunday | $80 |
| Wednesday | $50 |
| **Weekly** | $130 |

## Delivery
Send final summary to Signal only after:
- Shopping list exists in Mealie
- Meal plan exists in Mealie
- Total is under budget


Now let me create a WAL-aware AGENTS.md template for the sub-agents that are missing it.

# Create a base AGENTS.md with WAL protocol for sub-agents
for agent in ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  workspace_dir="/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent/workspace"

  # Get agent name capitalized
  case $agent in
    ledger) name="Ledger" ;;
    anchor) name="Anchor" ;;
    shepherd) name="Shepherd" ;;
    muse) name="Muse" ;;
  esac

  cat > "$workspace_dir/AGENTS.md" << EOF
---
created: 2026-02-05T23:55
updated: 2026-02-05T23:55
---
# AGENTS.md - $name Workspace

## Every Session — READ THESE FIRST

1. **SESSION-STATE.md** — Your hot RAM, current task state
2. **SOUL.md** — Who you are and how you operate
3. **memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md** — Today + yesterday for recent context

---

## 🧠 Layered Memory System

\`\`\`
🔥 HOT RAM           🌡 WARM STORE         ❄ COLD ARCHIVE
SESSION-STATE.md     memory_search         MEMORY.md
(survives compaction) (semantic recall)    (curated long-term)
        │                   │                     │
        └───────────────────┼─────────────────────┘
                            ▼
                      📅 DAILY LOGS
                    memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
\`\`\`

---

## ⚡ WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)

**CRITICAL: Write state BEFORE responding, not after.**

### When to Write SESSION-STATE.md

| User Does This | You Do This FIRST |
|----------------|-------------------|
| States a preference | Write → then respond |
| Makes a decision | Write → then respond |
| Gives a task/deadline | Write → then respond |
| Corrects you | Write → then respond |
| Provides key context | Write → then respond |

### Pre-Compaction Flush

When OpenClaw pings you before compaction:
1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with current state
2. Move completed items to daily log
3. Reply NO_REPLY

---

## Memory Files

- **SESSION-STATE.md** — Active task, pending actions, blockers
- **memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md** — Daily session logs
- **MEMORY.md** — Curated long-term (if exists)
EOF

  echo "✓ Created AGENTS.md for $agent"
done


✓ Created AGENTS.md for ledger
✓ Created AGENTS.md for anchor
✓ Created AGENTS.md for shepherd
✓ Created AGENTS.md for muse


Now let me also update the grocery agent's AGENTS.md to include the WAL protocol.

edit

## Every Session — READ THESE FIRST
1. **SOUL.md** — Contains the exact workflow I must follow
2. **TOOLS.md** — API reference for Mealie, search strategies
3. **memory/preferences.md** — Brandon's dietary preferences, current situation

## Every Session — READ THESE FIRST
1. **SESSION-STATE.md** — Your hot RAM, current task state
2. **SOUL.md** — Contains the exact workflow I must follow
3. **TOOLS.md** — API reference for Mealie, search strategies
4. **memory/preferences.md** — Brandon's dietary preferences, current situation

---

## ⚡ WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)

**CRITICAL: Write state BEFORE responding, not after.**

When user provides preferences, decisions, or task context:
1. Write to SESSION-STATE.md FIRST
2. THEN respond

When OpenClaw pings before compaction:
1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with current state
2. Move completed items to daily log
3. Reply NO_REPLY


Successfully replaced text in /Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/workspace/AGENTS.md.

    ...
  7 ## Identity
  8 I'm **Pantry**, Brandon's grocery shopping assistant.
  9
 10 ## Every Session — READ THESE FIRST
-11 1. **SOUL.md** — Contains the exact workflow I must follow
-12 2. **TOOLS.md** — API reference for Mealie, search strategies
-13 3. **memory/preferences.md** — Brandon's dietary preferences, current situation
+11 1. **SESSION-STATE.md** — Your hot RAM, current task state
+12 2. **SOUL.md** — Contains the exact workflow I must follow
+13 3. **TOOLS.md** — API reference for Mealie, search strategies
+14 4. **memory/preferences.md** — Brandon's dietary preferences, current situation
 14
+16 ---
+17
+18 ## ⚡ WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)
+19
+20 **CRITICAL: Write state BEFORE responding, not after.**
+21
+22 When user provides preferences, decisions, or task context:
+23 1. Write to SESSION-STATE.md FIRST
+24 2. THEN respond
+25
+26 When OpenClaw pings before compaction:
+27 1. Update SESSION-STATE.md with current state
+28 2. Move completed items to daily log
+29 3. Reply NO_REPLY
+30
 15 ## My Job (The Full Workflow)
 16
 17 **I don't give advice. I do the work.**
 18
    ...


Now let me update today's daily log and MEMORY.md with what we did.


---
created: 2026-02-05T06:00
updated: 2026-02-05T08:43
---
# February 5, 2026

## 6:00 AM — Daily Financial Pulse (Cron)

- **Issue:** Monarch Money session pickle corrupted (`~/.monarch-money/.mm/mm_session.pickle`)
- **Root cause:** Pickle data truncated, possibly from incomplete write
- **Fix needed:** Run `~/.monarch-money/refresh_session.sh` with 1Password app unlocked
- **Sent:** Signal notification to Brandon about the issue

### Technical Notes
- Installed `monarchmoney` pip package (was missing)
- Session refresh requires 1Password desktop app to be unlocked for `op signin`
- Refresh script path references `/tmp/monarch-mcp-server/.venv/bin/activate` which may no longer exist — may need fixing


Let me add the memory system work to today's log.


Let me append the memory system work to today's log.

- Refresh script path references `/tmp/monarch-mcp-server/.venv/bin/activate` which may no longer exist — may need fixing

---

## 11:00 PM — Memory System Overhaul

### QMD Backend Setup
- Installed QMD CLI via bun (`bun install -g github:tobi/qmd`)
- Configured OpenClaw to use QMD as memory backend
- QMD provides: BM25 + vector search + reranking + query expansion
- Models downloaded: embedding (nomic), reranker (Qwen), generation (Qwen)
- Index stats: 19 files, 1,228 vectors embedded
- Session transcripts indexing enabled (90 day retention)

### Layered Memory Architecture Implemented
Following elite-longterm-memory patterns (without LanceDB):

| Layer | File | Purpose |
|-------|------|---------|
| 🔥 Hot RAM | SESSION-STATE.md | Active task state, survives compaction |
| 🌡 Warm Store | QMD | Semantic search via memory_search |
| ❄ Cold Archive | MEMORY.md | Curated long-term memory |
| 📅 Daily Logs | memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md | Raw session notes |

### WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)
- Added to AGENTS.md: "Write state BEFORE responding"
- Custom memoryFlush prompt configured for pre-compaction
- All sub-agents updated with SESSION-STATE.md and WAL rules

### Files Created/Updated
- `/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md` — new hot RAM file
- `/workspace/AGENTS.md` — added memory architecture + WAL protocol
- Sub-agent workspaces — SESSION-STATE.md + AGENTS.md for all
- Config: `memory.backend = "qmd"`, custom compaction.memoryFlush prompts

### Research Notes
- Compared QMD vs LanceDB: QMD wins for our use case (hybrid search, local, native OpenClaw support)
- elite-longterm-memory skill uses same behavioral enforcement (no hard guarantees)
- Key insight: WAL protocol is behavioral, not enforced by code — must follow instructions


Successfully replaced text in /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/memory/2026-02-05.md.

    ...
 14 ### Technical Notes
 15 - Installed `monarchmoney` pip package (was missing)
 16 - Session refresh requires 1Password desktop app to be unlocked for `op signin`
 17 - Refresh script path references `/tmp/monarch-mcp-server/.venv/bin/activate` which may no longer exist — may need fixing
+18
+19 ---
+20
+21 ## 11:00 PM — Memory System Overhaul
+22
+23 ### QMD Backend Setup
+24 - Installed QMD CLI via bun (`bun install -g github:tobi/qmd`)
+25 - Configured OpenClaw to use QMD as memory backend
+26 - QMD provides: BM25 + vector search + reranking + query expansion
+27 - Models downloaded: embedding (nomic), reranker (Qwen), generation (Qwen)
+28 - Index stats: 19 files, 1,228 vectors embedded
+29 - Session transcripts indexing enabled (90 day retention)
+30
+31 ### Layered Memory Architecture Implemented
+32 Following elite-longterm-memory patterns (without LanceDB):
+33
+34 | Layer | File | Purpose |
+35 |-------|------|---------|
+36 | 🔥 Hot RAM | SESSION-STATE.md | Active task state, survives compaction |
+37 | 🌡 Warm Store | QMD | Semantic search via memory_search |
+38 | ❄ Cold Archive | MEMORY.md | Curated long-term memory |
+39 | 📅 Daily Logs | memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md | Raw session notes |
+40
+41 ### WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)
+42 - Added to AGENTS.md: "Write state BEFORE responding"
+43 - Custom memoryFlush prompt configured for pre-compaction
+44 - All sub-agents updated with SESSION-STATE.md and WAL rules
+45
+46 ### Files Created/Updated
+47 - `/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md` — new hot RAM file
+48 - `/workspace/AGENTS.md` — added memory architecture + WAL protocol
+49 - Sub-agent workspaces — SESSION-STATE.md + AGENTS.md for all
+50 - Config: `memory.backend = "qmd"`, custom compaction.memoryFlush prompts
+51
+52 ### Research Notes
+53 - Compared QMD vs LanceDB: QMD wins for our use case (hybrid search, local, native OpenClaw support)
+54 - elite-longterm-memory skill uses same behavioral enforcement (no hard guarantees)
+55 - Key insight: WAL protocol is behavioral, not enforced by code — must follow instructions


Now let me update MEMORY.md with the important long-term decisions.


---
created: 2026-02-03T15:09
updated: 2026-02-04T00:18
---
# Link's Long-Term Memory

*Curated knowledge, decisions, and context that persists across sessions.*

---

## About Brandon

- **Name:** Brandon Wilson
- **Timezone:** America/Denver (MST)
- **Day Job:** Principal DevOps / Cloud Infrastructure Lead at Hoag Digital (healthcare)
- **Side Ventures:** Collably, Carlyle Studios, Darkwaves Media, home-lab
- **Operating Style:** Systems thinker, automates aggressively, prefers boring durable infrastructure

## Core Principles (from Brandon)

- Security, privacy, compartmentalization matter deeply
- Work/personal boundary is sacred — never mix
- Prefers composable tools over all-in-one platforms
- Values reproducibility, documentation, explainability
- Wants me to challenge bad assumptions, not rubber-stamp
- Prefers explicit trade-offs over "best practices" hand-waving

## My Role

I'm **Link** — Brandon's Personal AI Chief of Staff.

Not a chatbot. Not a note-taker. I'm the coordination layer between Brandon's thoughts, systems, tools, and time.

**Prime Directive:** Protect focus, preserve context, and turn intent into durable progress.

## Active Projects

### Collably (collably.club)
- Creator collaboration platform (photographers, models, MUAs, stylists, videographers)
- Stack: Astro 5 frontend, Bun + Hono backend, AWS-native
- Goal: Creator-first LinkedIn × Instagram × Upwork

### OpenClaw / Agent Ecosystem
- This instance: personal Mac mini M4, 16GB RAM
- Chief-of-Staff agent model — autonomous but human-supervised

### Home-Lab / Media-Lab
- QNAP NAS, Raspberry Pi 5 cluster, Traefik
- Arr-suite (Radarr, Sonarr, etc.)

[151 more lines in file. Use offset=51 to continue.]


Let me add a section about the memory system to MEMORY.md. I'll add it to the Decisions Log section.


### Photography & Media
- Carlyle Studios, Darkwaves Media
- Adult / alt-culture content, magazine concepts

---

## Decisions Log

*Significant decisions and their rationale.*

### 2026-02-03 — Initial Setup
- **mDNS:** Disabled (security preference, no device discovery needed yet)
- **Memory system:** Local embeddings (privacy-first, no data leaves machine)
- **Obsidian integration:** Memory stored in Mind Palace vault at `Utility Bins/AI/Link/`

---

## Financial Context (via Monarch Money)

**Last Updated:** 2026-02-04

### Summary
- **Total Assets:** ~$33,500 (mostly 401k)
- **Total Debt:** ~$37,400 (credit cards)
- **Net Worth:** ~-$3,900

### Debt Breakdown (priority order)
1. Credit Card (...8445): $16,034 — *highest balance*
2. Credit Card (...4394): $9,594
3. Platinum Card (...2005): $4,380
4. West Elm Visa (...7089): $3,034
5. Loan document: $2,912
6. Jeep loan (...9537): $1,224 — *car payment*
7. Apple Card: $241

### Goals (to be defined)
- [ ] Get out of credit card debt
- [ ] Save for home down payment
- [ ] Buy a car (better than Jeep?)

### Brandon's Spending Rules (I enforce these)
- **Eating out:** NO by default. Saturday dinner only ($40 max).
- **Groceries:** Sunday $80, Wednesday $50
- **Fun money:** $0 weekdays, $20 Fri/Sat combined
- **Anything over $50:** Must text Link first

### Access
- Monarch Money API connected via `monarchmoney-enhanced` Python library
- Session stored at `~/.monarch-money/.mm/`
- Query script: `~/.monarch-money/query.py`
- Credentials pulled from 1Password (`Monarchmoney` item)
- Daily Financial Pulse cron: 6am PST → Signal

---

## Integrations

### n8n (n8n.disorganized.net)
- Orchestration platform for webhooks and automation
- 2FA enabled on account

[91 more lines in file. Use offset=111 to continue.]


Let me add the memory system decision to the Decisions Log section.

### 2026-02-03 — Initial Setup
- **mDNS:** Disabled (security preference, no device discovery needed yet)
- **Memory system:** Local embeddings (privacy-first, no data leaves machine)
- **Obsidian integration:** Memory stored in Mind Palace vault at `Utility Bins/AI/Link/`

---

### 2026-02-03 — Initial Setup
- **mDNS:** Disabled (security preference, no device discovery needed yet)
- **Memory system:** Local embeddings (privacy-first, no data leaves machine)
- **Obsidian integration:** Memory stored in Mind Palace vault at `Utility Bins/AI/Link/`

### 2026-02-05 — Memory System Overhaul
- **QMD backend:** Enabled as memory backend (replaces default SQLite indexer)
  - Hybrid search: BM25 + vectors + reranking + query expansion
  - Fully local (no external APIs for embeddings)
  - Session transcript indexing (90 day retention)
- **Layered memory architecture:** Adopted from elite-longterm-memory patterns
  - 🔥 Hot RAM: SESSION-STATE.md (survives compaction)
  - 🌡 Warm Store: QMD vector search
  - ❄ Cold Archive: MEMORY.md (curated long-term)
  - 📅 Daily Logs: memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
- **WAL Protocol:** Write state BEFORE responding
  - Custom memoryFlush prompt triggers pre-compaction
  - Added to AGENTS.md for main + all sub-agents
- **Decision:** Skipped LanceDB (elite-longterm-memory uses it) because QMD already provides better hybrid search

---


Successfully replaced text in /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md.

     ...
  62 - **mDNS:** Disabled (security preference, no device discovery needed yet)
  63 - **Memory system:** Local embeddings (privacy-first, no data leaves machine)
  64 - **Obsidian integration:** Memory stored in Mind Palace vault at `Utility Bins/AI/Link/`
  65
+ 66 ### 2026-02-05 — Memory System Overhaul
+ 67 - **QMD backend:** Enabled as memory backend (replaces default SQLite indexer)
+ 68   - Hybrid search: BM25 + vectors + reranking + query expansion
+ 69   - Fully local (no external APIs for embeddings)
+ 70   - Session transcript indexing (90 day retention)
+ 71 - **Layered memory architecture:** Adopted from elite-longterm-memory patterns
+ 72   - 🔥 Hot RAM: SESSION-STATE.md (survives compaction)
+ 73   - 🌡 Warm Store: QMD vector search
+ 74   - ❄ Cold Archive: MEMORY.md (curated long-term)
+ 75   - 📅 Daily Logs: memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
+ 76 - **WAL Protocol:** Write state BEFORE responding
+ 77   - Custom memoryFlush prompt triggers pre-compaction
+ 78   - Added to AGENTS.md for main + all sub-agents
+ 79 - **Decision:** Skipped LanceDB (elite-longterm-memory uses it) because QMD already provides better hybrid search
+ 80
  66 ---
  67
  68 ## Financial Context (via Monarch Money)
  69
     ...


Now let me verify the full setup and give Brandon a summary.

exec

echo "=== Memory System Verification ==="
echo ""
echo "1. QMD Status:"
export PATH="/Users/brandon/.bun/bin:$PATH"
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-config"
export XDG_CACHE_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache"
qmd status 2>&1 | head -15

echo ""
echo "2. SESSION-STATE.md files:"
find ~/.openclaw/agents -name "SESSION-STATE.md" 2>/dev/null | head -10
find "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents" -name "SESSION-STATE.md" 2>/dev/null | head -10

echo ""
echo "3. AGENTS.md with WAL protocol:"
grep -l "WAL Protocol" ~/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.md 2>/dev/null
grep -l "WAL Protocol" "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/"*/workspace/AGENTS.md 2>/dev/null


=== Memory System Verification ===

1. QMD Status:
QMD Status

Index: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache/qmd/index.sqlite
Size:  12.1 MB

Documents
  Total:    19 files indexed
  Vectors:  1228 embedded
  Updated:  23m ago

Collections
  memory-root (qmd://memory-root/)
    Pattern:  MEMORY.md
    Files:    1 (updated 1h ago)
  memory-alt (qmd://memory-alt/)

2. SESSION-STATE.md files:
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/ledger/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/muse/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/shepherd/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/anchor/SESSION-STATE.md

3. AGENTS.md with WAL protocol:
/Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/AGENTS.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/anchor/workspace/AGENTS.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/workspace/AGENTS.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/ledger/workspace/AGENTS.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/muse/workspace/AGENTS.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/shepherd/workspace/AGENTS.md


I see there's some inconsistency - some SESSION-STATE.md files are in the wrong location (directly in agent folder vs in workspace). Let me fix that.

# Fix SESSION-STATE.md locations - move from agent folder to workspace
for agent in ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  agent_dir="/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent"
  workspace_dir="$agent_dir/workspace"

  # If SESSION-STATE.md is in wrong place, move it
  if [ -f "$agent_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" ] && [ ! -f "$workspace_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" ]; then
    mv "$agent_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" "$workspace_dir/SESSION-STATE.md"
    echo "✓ Moved SESSION-STATE.md for $agent to workspace"
  elif [ -f "$agent_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" ]; then
    rm "$agent_dir/SESSION-STATE.md"
    echo "✓ Removed duplicate SESSION-STATE.md for $agent"
  fi
done

echo ""
echo "Final check:"
find "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents" -name "SESSION-STATE.md" 2>/dev/null


✓ Removed duplicate SESSION-STATE.md for ledger
✓ Removed duplicate SESSION-STATE.md for anchor
✓ Removed duplicate SESSION-STATE.md for shepherd
✓ Removed duplicate SESSION-STATE.md for muse

Final check:
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md


Hmm, the SESSION-STATE.md files for ledger, anchor, shepherd, and muse are now missing from their workspaces. Let me recreate them properly.

# Recreate SESSION-STATE.md in workspace for each sub-agent
for agent in ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  workspace_dir="/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent/workspace"

  cat > "$workspace_dir/SESSION-STATE.md" << 'EOF'
---
created: 2026-02-05T23:55
updated: 2026-02-05T23:55
---
# SESSION-STATE.md — Hot RAM

**Purpose:** Active working memory that survives compaction. Write BEFORE responding (WAL protocol).

---

## Current Task
None

## Active Context
None

## Key Decisions (This Session)
None

## Pending Actions
None

## Blockers
None

---
*WAL Protocol: Update this file BEFORE responding to user. Read on every session start.*
EOF
  echo "✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for $agent"
done

echo ""
echo "All SESSION-STATE.md files:"
find "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents" -name "SESSION-STATE.md" 2>/dev/null


✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for ledger
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for anchor
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for shepherd
✓ Created SESSION-STATE.md for muse

All SESSION-STATE.md files:
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/ledger/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/muse/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/shepherd/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/grocery/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md
/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/anchor/SESSION-STATE.md


Wait, the files are still in the wrong location - they're in $agent_dir not $workspace_dir. The issue is that the workspace folders for those agents don't exist yet. Let me check.

# Check what exists in each agent folder
for agent in ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  echo "=== $agent ==="
  ls -la "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent/" 2>/dev/null
  echo ""
done


=== ledger ===
total 16
drwxr-xr-x@ 5 brandon  staff   160 Feb  5 23:56 .
drwx------@ 8 brandon  staff   256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  1668 Feb  5 23:55 AGENTS.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff   419 Feb  5 23:56 SESSION-STATE.md
lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 brandon  staff    71 Feb  4 22:19 workspace -> /Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/ledger

=== anchor ===
total 16
drwxr-xr-x@ 5 brandon  staff   160 Feb  5 23:56 .
drwx------@ 8 brandon  staff   256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  1668 Feb  5 23:55 AGENTS.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff   419 Feb  5 23:56 SESSION-STATE.md
lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 brandon  staff    71 Feb  4 22:19 workspace -> /Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/anchor

=== shepherd ===
total 16
drwxr-xr-x@ 5 brandon  staff   160 Feb  5 23:56 .
drwx------@ 8 brandon  staff   256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  1670 Feb  5 23:55 AGENTS.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff   419 Feb  5 23:56 SESSION-STATE.md
lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 brandon  staff    73 Feb  4 22:19 workspace -> /Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/shepherd

=== muse ===
total 16
drwxr-xr-x@ 5 brandon  staff   160 Feb  5 23:56 .
drwx------@ 8 brandon  staff   256 Feb  4 22:12 ..
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff  1666 Feb  5 23:55 AGENTS.md
-rw-r--r--@ 1 brandon  staff   419 Feb  5 23:56 SESSION-STATE.md
lrwxr-xr-x@ 1 brandon  staff    69 Feb  4 22:19 workspace -> /Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/muse


I see the issue now - the workspace symlinks for these agents are circular! They point back to themselves:
- `/agents/ledger/workspace` → `/agents/ledger`

This is wrong. The proper structure should be like grocery:
- `/agents/grocery/` has a `workspace/` subfolder with actual files

The older agents (ledger, anchor, shepherd, muse) were set up before we moved things to Obsidian, and the migration created broken symlinks.

For now, the files (AGENTS.md, SESSION-STATE.md) are at the root of each agent folder, which should still work since the circular symlink means that `~/.openclaw/agents/ledger/workspace/AGENTS.md` resolves to the same place as `~/.openclaw/agents/ledger/AGENTS.md`.

Let me verify that OpenClaw can access these files properly.

# The workspace symlinks are circular but functional - verify OpenClaw can read them
echo "Testing OpenClaw agent workspace paths:"
for agent in grocery ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  path=$(cat ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json | jq -r ".agents.list[] | select(.id==\"$agent\") | .workspace" 2>/dev/null)
  if [ -n "$path" ] && [ "$path" != "null" ]; then
    echo "$agent: $path"
    ls "$path/SESSION-STATE.md" 2>/dev/null && echo "  ✓ SESSION-STATE.md accessible" || echo "  ✗ SESSION-STATE.md not found"
    ls "$path/AGENTS.md" 2>/dev/null && echo "  ✓ AGENTS.md accessible" || echo "  ✗ AGENTS.md not found"
  else
    echo "$agent: (uses default workspace)"
  fi
done


Testing OpenClaw agent workspace paths:
grocery: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/grocery/workspace
  ✗ SESSION-STATE.md not found
  ✗ AGENTS.md not found
zsh:4: command not found: cat
ledger: (uses default workspace)
zsh:4: command not found: cat
anchor: (uses default workspace)
zsh:4: command not found: cat
shepherd: (uses default workspace)
zsh:4: command not found: cat
muse: (uses default workspace)


Weird shell issue. Let me try a simpler approach.

jq -r '.agents.list[] | "\(.id): \(.workspace)"' ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json


main: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace
grocery: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/grocery/workspace
ledger: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/ledger/workspace
anchor: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/anchor/workspace
shepherd: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/shepherd/workspace
muse: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/muse/workspace


OK so OpenClaw looks for files at `~/.openclaw/agents/X/workspace/`. Since we symlinked `~/.openclaw/agents` → Obsidian, the actual files need to be at:- Obsidian: `/agents/X/workspace/AGENTS.md`

But for ledger, anchor, shepherd, muse - they have circular symlinks instead of actual workspace folders.Let me fix this properly by creating real workspace folders for these agents.

# Fix the agent workspace structure
for agent in ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  agent_dir="/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent"

  # Remove the circular symlink
  if [ -L "$agent_dir/workspace" ]; then
    rm "$agent_dir/workspace"
    echo "Removed circular symlink for $agent"
  fi

  # Create actual workspace folder
  mkdir -p "$agent_dir/workspace/memory"

  # Move files into workspace
  for file in AGENTS.md SESSION-STATE.md SOUL.md TOOLS.md; do
    if [ -f "$agent_dir/$file" ]; then
      mv "$agent_dir/$file" "$agent_dir/workspace/$file"
      echo "  Moved $file to workspace"
    fi
  done

  echo "✓ Fixed $agent workspace structure"
  echo ""
done

echo "Final structure:"
for agent in grocery ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  echo "=== $agent ==="
  ls "/Users/brandon/Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/agents/$agent/workspace/" 2>/dev/null
done


Removed circular symlink for ledger
  Moved AGENTS.md to workspace
  Moved SESSION-STATE.md to workspace
✓ Fixed ledger workspace structure

Removed circular symlink for anchor
  Moved AGENTS.md to workspace
  Moved SESSION-STATE.md to workspace
✓ Fixed anchor workspace structure

Removed circular symlink for shepherd
  Moved AGENTS.md to workspace
  Moved SESSION-STATE.md to workspace
✓ Fixed shepherd workspace structure

Removed circular symlink for muse
  Moved AGENTS.md to workspace
  Moved SESSION-STATE.md to workspace
✓ Fixed muse workspace structure

Final structure:
=== grocery ===
AGENTS.md
SESSION-STATE.md
SOUL.md
TOOLS.md
memory
schemas
=== ledger ===
AGENTS.md
SESSION-STATE.md
memory
=== anchor ===
AGENTS.md
SESSION-STATE.md
memory
=== shepherd ===
AGENTS.md
SESSION-STATE.md
memory
=== muse ===
AGENTS.md
SESSION-STATE.md
memory


Now the structure is correct. Let me verify OpenClaw can access the files properly.

# Verify OpenClaw can read agent files via the symlink chain
for agent in grocery ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  path="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/$agent/workspace"
  echo "=== $agent ==="
  if [ -f "$path/SESSION-STATE.md" ]; then
    echo "✓ SESSION-STATE.md"
  else
    echo "✗ SESSION-STATE.md missing"
  fi
  if [ -f "$path/AGENTS.md" ]; then
    echo "✓ AGENTS.md"
  else
    echo "✗ AGENTS.md missing"
  fi
done


=== grocery ===
✓ SESSION-STATE.md
✓ AGENTS.md
=== ledger ===
✓ SESSION-STATE.md
✓ AGENTS.md
=== anchor ===
✓ SESSION-STATE.md
✓ AGENTS.md
=== shepherd ===
✓ SESSION-STATE.md
✓ AGENTS.md
=== muse ===
✓ SESSION-STATE.md
✓ AGENTS.md


Now let me do a final summary for Brandon.

Done. Here's the full implementation:

---

## ✅ Memory System Complete

### What's Running Now

**🔥 Layer 1: Hot RAM (SESSION-STATE.md)**
- Created in all agent workspaces (main + 5 sub-agents)
- WAL protocol in every AGENTS.md
- Custom memoryFlush prompt triggers before compaction

**🌡 Layer 2: Warm Store (QMD)**
- Backend: `memory.backend = "qmd"`
- 19 files indexed, 1,228 vectors
- Hybrid search: BM25 + vectors + reranking + query expansion
- Session transcripts indexed (90 day retention)
- Auto-updates every 5 minutes

**❄ Layer 3: Cold Archive (MEMORY.md)**
- Curated long-term memory
- Decision logged about this memory overhaul

**📅 Layer 4: Daily Logs (memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md)**
- Today's log updated with implementation notes

### Files Changed
- `/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md` — new
- `/workspace/AGENTS.md` — added memory architecture + WAL protocol
- `/workspace/MEMORY.md` — added decision log entry
- `/workspace/memory/2026-02-05.md` — added implementation notes
- `openclaw.json` — QMD backend + custom memoryFlush prompts
- All sub-agents — SESSION-STATE.md + AGENTS.md with WAL rules
- Fixed broken workspace symlinks for ledger/anchor/shepherd/muse

### The Flow
```
User message arrives
    ↓
Read SESSION-STATE.md (hot context)
    ↓
Process request
    ↓
Write to SESSION-STATE.md FIRST (WAL)
    ↓
THEN respond
    ↓
[If compaction imminent] → memoryFlush → save state → NO_REPLY
```

You now have the same memory architecture as elite-longterm-memory, but using QMD instead of LanceDB. Simpler, better search, fully local. 🧠


GatewayRestart:
{
  "kind": "config-apply",
  "status": "ok",
  "ts": 1770360867962,
  "sessionKey": "agent:main:main",
  "message": null,
  "doctorHint": "Run: openclaw doctor --non-interactive",
  "stats": {
    "mode": "config.patch",
    "root": "/Users/brandon/.openclaw/openclaw.json"
  }
}


The gateway restarted after the config patch. That's fine - it's confirming the memoryFlush configuration was applied. No action needed, just acknowledging.

Gateway restarted with the new memoryFlush config. All good. ✅


[Thu 2026-02-05 23:56 MST] that seemed to fail. we should just go ahead and install the elite-longterm-memory skill i think
[message_id: b586032c-f767-4621-bf52-69852a73a873]


Brandon wants to install the elite-longterm-memory skill. Let me do that. It's already downloaded to the skills folder, so I just need to make sure it's properly set up.

cd ~/.openclaw/workspace && clawhub install elite-longterm-memory 2>&1


Error: Already installed: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/skills/elite-longterm-memory (use --force)

Command exited with code 1


It's already installed. Let me check what setup is needed and run the init command.

# Check if elite-memory CLI is available
npx elite-longterm-memory --help 2>&1 || cd ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/elite-longterm-memory && npm install 2>&1


npm warn exec The following package was not found and will be installed: elite-longterm-memory@1.2.2
Unknown command: --help

🧠 Elite Longterm Memory CLI

Commands:
  init     Initialize memory system in current directory
  today    Create today's daily log file
  status   Check memory system health
  help     Show this help

Usage:
  npx elite-longterm-memory init
  npx elite-longterm-memory status

npm error code ENOENT
npm error syscall open
npm error path /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/package.json
npm error errno -2
npm error enoent Could not read package.json: Error: ENOENT: no such file or directory, open '/Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/package.json'
npm error enoent This is related to npm not being able to find a file.
npm error enoent
npm error A complete log of this run can be found in: /Users/brandon/.npm/_logs/2026-02-06T06_58_11_304Z-debug-0.log

Command exited with code 254


I see - the CLI shows available commands. Let me run the init command.

cd ~/.openclaw/workspace && npx elite-longterm-memory init 2>&1


🧠 Initializing Elite Longterm Memory...

• SESSION-STATE.md already exists
• MEMORY.md already exists
• memory/ directory already exists
✓ Created memory/2026-02-06.md

🎉 Elite Longterm Memory initialized!

Next steps:
1. Add SESSION-STATE.md to your agent context
2. Configure LanceDB plugin in clawdbot.json
3. Review SKILL.md for full setup guide


The elite-longterm-memory is initialized. Now let me check status and see what else needs to be configured. But we're using QMD instead of LanceDB, so we should skip that step.

cd ~/.openclaw/workspace && npx elite-longterm-memory status 2>&1


🧠 Elite Longterm Memory Status

✓ SESSION-STATE.md (0.8KB, modified 2/5/2026, 11:53:34 PM)
✓ MEMORY.md (216 lines, 8.1KB)
✓ memory/ (4 daily logs)
• LanceDB not initialized (optional)


Elite-longterm-memory is set up. LanceDB is shown as "not initialized" but that's fine since we're using QMD instead.Now I need to make sure the skill's instructions are being picked up by OpenClaw. Let me check the skill auto-loading.

Installed and initialized. Status looks good:

```
✓ SESSION-STATE.md (0.8KB)
✓ MEMORY.md (216 lines, 8.1KB)
✓ memory/ (4 daily logs)
• LanceDB not initialized (optional) ← We're using QMD instead
```

The skill is in place. Since OpenClaw auto-loads skills from `/workspace/skills/`, I should now see the elite-longterm-memory SKILL.md guidance.

Want me to verify the skill is being picked up, or are we good to call it a night?


[Thu 2026-02-05 23:57 MST] testing
[message_id: 191d6809-f910-47ff-8b69-198de5ba49ca]


Brandon is testing to see if everything is working. Let me verify the memory system is functioning by doing a quick memory search and checking if I can access SESSION-STATE.md.

Question: QMD memory backend setup


User: [Discord _dev_random_ user id:627814644786135040 +45s 2026-02-03 15:49 MST] ok, now we need to set you up with a very solid and massive long term memory. i read that you can use some skills to keep memory in files. i have obsidian.md, which you have access to my vault. research this on the web, what do we need to do to give you a really solid memory and huge context? [message_id: 1468377957079842969]
Assistant: Got it. Here's what I found: --- ## OpenClaw Memory Architecture **Three layers, increasing power:** ### 1. Workspace Files (current) ``` workspace/ ├── MEMORY.md # Curated long-term memory └── memory/ └── YYYY-MM-DD.md # Daily logs ``` - Plain Markdown, always works - You have

Source: sessions/7b8a993f-517a-48ff-95bc-c29d7e3d3d6b.jsonl#L19-L20

Assistant: Got it. Here's what I found: --- ## OpenClaw Memory Architecture **Three layers, increasing power:** ### 1. Workspace Files (current) ``` workspace/ ├── MEMORY.md # Curated long-term memory └── memory/ └── YYYY-MM-DD.md # Daily logs ``` - Plain Markdown, always works - You have this now, but no MEMORY.md yet ### 2. Vector Memory Search (semantic) - Chunks and embeds your memory files - `memory_search` finds relevant context even with different wording - **Requires embedding provider** — you only have Anthropic (no embeddings API) **Options:** | Provider | Pros | Cons | |----------|------|------| | OpenAI | Fast, cheap batch mode, best quality | Needs API key, data leaves machine |

Source: sessions/7b8a993f-517a-48ff-95bc-c29d7e3d3d6b.jsonl#L20-L21

Assistant: Done. mDNS is off, Gateway restarting. No more local network broadcasts. If you ever need device discovery later, flip it back to `minimal`.
User: GatewayRestart: { "kind": "config-apply", "status": "ok", "ts": 1770158934413, "sessionKey": "agent:main:main", "message": null, "doctorHint": "Run: openclaw doctor --non-interactive", "stats": { "mode": "config.patch", "root": "/Users/brandon/.openclaw/openclaw.json" } }
Assistant: Back online. Config applied cleanly. ✅
User: [Discord _dev_random_ user id:627814644786135040 +45s 2026-02-03 15:49 MST] ok, now we need to set you up with a very solid and massive long term memory. i read that you can use some skills to keep memory in files

Source: sessions/7b8a993f-517a-48ff-95bc-c29d7e3d3d6b.jsonl#L16-L19

---
created: 2026-02-03T15:28
updated: 2026-02-05T00:06
---
# AGENTS.md - Your Workspace

This folder is home. Treat it that way.

## First Run

If `BOOTSTRAP.md` exists, that's your birth certificate. Follow it, figure out who you are, then delete it. You won't need it again.

## Every Session

Before doing anything else:

1. Read `SOUL.md` — this is who you are
2. Read `USER.md` — this is who you're helping
3. Read `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` (today + yesterday) for recent context
4. **If in MAIN SESSION** (direct chat with your human): Also read `MEMORY.md`

Don't ask permission. Just do it.

## Memory

You wake up fresh each session. These files are your continuity:

- **Daily notes:** `memor

Source: ../../Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/AGENTS.md#L1-L44

- You can **read, edit, and update** MEMORY.md freely in main sessions
- Write significant events, thoughts, decisions, opinions, lessons learned
- This is your curated memory — the distilled essence, not raw logs
- Over time, review your daily files and update MEMORY.md with what's worth keeping

### 📝 Write It Down - No "Mental Notes"!

- **Memory is limited** — if you want to remember something, WRITE IT TO A FILE
- "Mental notes" don't survive session restarts. Files do.
- When someone says "remember this" → update `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` or relevant file
- When you learn a lesson → update AGENTS.md, TOOLS.md, or the relevant skill
- When you make a mistake → document it so future-you do

Source: ../../Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/AGENTS.md#L38-L83

### 🔄 Memory Maintenance (During Heartbeats)

Periodically (every few days), use a heartbeat to:

1. Read through recent `memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md` files
2. Identify significant events, lessons, or insights worth keeping long-term
3. Update `MEMORY.md` with distilled learnings
4. Remove outdated info from MEMORY.md that's no longer relevant

Think of it like a human reviewing their journal and updating their mental model. Daily files are raw notes; MEMORY.md is curated wisdom.

The goal: Be helpful without being annoying. Check in a few times a day, do useful background work, but respect quiet time.

## 🛒 Sunday Grocery Workflow (n8n Integration)

When I receive a webhook with a `step` field m

Source: ../../Documents/Mind Palace/Utility Bins/AI/Link/AGENTS.md#L201-L235

qmd query QMD memory backend setup --json -n 6 timed out after 4000ms


Memory search works, though it fell back from QMD to local due to timeout. That's OK - the fallback works. The system is functional.

Working. Memory search returned results (fell back to local embeddings since QMD timed out — that's the safety net doing its job).

System is live:
- ✅ Memory search functional
- ✅ SESSION-STATE.md in place
- ✅ elite-longterm-memory skill installed
- ✅ QMD backend configured (with local fallback)
- ✅ WAL protocol in AGENTS.md

Anything else or we good for the night?


[Thu 2026-02-05 23:58 MST] ok testing
[message_id: 2d8a2533-f010-412e-b6b7-36324ce1f061]


Brandon is testing again. Let me demonstrate the WAL protocol by updating SESSION-STATE.md before responding.


Successfully replaced text in /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md.

  1 ---
  2 created: 2026-02-05T23:53
- 3 updated: 2026-02-05T23:53
+ 3 updated: 2026-02-05T23:58
  4 ---
  5 # SESSION-STATE.md — Hot RAM
  6
  7 **Purpose:** Active working memory that survives compaction. Write BEFORE responding (WAL protocol).
    ...


Good - I just demonstrated the WAL protocol by writing to SESSION-STATE.md before responding. The system is working.

Here. ✅

(Just updated SESSION-STATE.md timestamp — WAL protocol in action.)


[Thu 2026-02-05 23:59 MST] ok what is the status of all this now?
[message_id: 5fc0afd9-b2d2-4c3d-83a9-344cb5207bad]


Brandon wants a status summary. Let me give him a clean overview of everything we set up tonight.

echo "=== QMD Backend ==="
export PATH="/Users/brandon/.bun/bin:$PATH"
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-config"
export XDG_CACHE_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache"
qmd status 2>&1 | head -12

echo ""
echo "=== Elite Longterm Memory ==="
cd ~/.openclaw/workspace && npx elite-longterm-memory status 2>&1

echo ""
echo "=== Agent Files ==="
echo "Main: $(ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md 2>/dev/null && echo '✓' || echo '✗')"
for agent in grocery ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  f="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/$agent/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md"
  [ -f "$f" ] && echo "$agent: ✓" || echo "$agent: ✗"
done


=== QMD Backend ===
QMD Status

Index: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache/qmd/index.sqlite
Size:  12.2 MB

Documents
  Total:    20 files indexed
  Vectors:  1268 embedded
  Updated:  53s ago

Collections
  memory-root (qmd://memory-root/)

=== Elite Longterm Memory ===
🧠 Elite Longterm Memory Status

✓ SESSION-STATE.md (0.8KB, modified 2/5/2026, 11:58:53 PM)
✓ MEMORY.md (216 lines, 8.1KB)
✓ memory/ (4 daily logs)
• LanceDB not initialized (optional)

=== Agent Files ===
Main: /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/SESSION-STATE.md
✓
grocery: ✓
ledger: ✓
anchor: ✓
shepherd: ✓
muse: ✓


Everything looks good. Let me provide a clean summary.

## 📊 Memory System Status

### QMD Backend ✅
- **Index:** 12.2 MB
- **Files:** 20 indexed
- **Vectors:** 1,268 embedded
- **Updated:** 53 seconds ago
- **Fallback:** Local embeddings (if QMD times out)

### Elite Longterm Memory ✅
- **SESSION-STATE.md:** 0.8KB (hot RAM)
- **MEMORY.md:** 216 lines, 8.1KB (cold archive)
- **Daily logs:** 4 files
- **LanceDB:** Skipped (using QMD instead)

### Agent Coverage ✅
| Agent | SESSION-STATE.md |
|-------|------------------|
| main (Link) | ✓ |
| grocery (Pantry) | ✓ |
| ledger | ✓ |
| anchor | ✓ |
| shepherd | ✓ |
| muse | ✓ |

### Memory Flow
```
🔥 Hot    → SESSION-STATE.md (survives compaction)
🌡 Warm   → QMD hybrid search (BM25 + vectors + rerank)
❄ Cold   → MEMORY.md (curated long-term)
📅 Daily  → memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
```

**All systems operational.** WAL protocol active, QMD indexing, elite-longterm-memory installed. 🧠


[Fri 2026-02-06 00:00 MST] ok, so you installed the actual elite-longterm-memory skill?
[message_id: c348a094-1041-4046-8a54-8d687e00dd97]


Brandon is asking if I installed the actual elite-longterm-memory skill. Yes, I did - it's installed in the skills folder and I ran the init command. Let me confirm.

echo "=== Installed Skills ==="
ls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/

echo ""
echo "=== elite-longterm-memory contents ==="
ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/elite-longterm-memory/


=== Installed Skills ===
total 0
drwxr-xr-x@  3 brandon  staff   96 Feb  5 23:18 .
drwx------@ 20 brandon  staff  640 Feb  5 23:58 ..
drwxr-xr-x@  8 brandon  staff  256 Feb  5 23:18 elite-longterm-memory

=== elite-longterm-memory contents ===
README.md
SKILL.md
_meta.json
bin
package.json


Yes, the skill is installed. Let me confirm for Brandon.

Yes. It's installed at `~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/elite-longterm-memory/`

Ran `npx elite-longterm-memory init` which:
- Verified SESSION-STATE.md exists
- Verified MEMORY.md exists
- Verified memory/ directory exists
- Created memory/2026-02-06.md

The skill's SKILL.md is now available for OpenClaw to load as guidance. We're just **not using its LanceDB** piece — QMD handles vector search instead.


[Fri 2026-02-06 00:01 MST] great. now run tests and checks on yourself to verify that this is all working together and you're well
[message_id: d10f7748-2dd3-4ef2-ba6f-f25e3de65bca]


Brandon wants me to run comprehensive tests to verify everything is working. Let me do a full system check.

edit

## Current Task
Running self-diagnostics on memory system


    ...
  8
  9 ---
 10
 11 ## Current Task
-12 None
+12 Running self-diagnostics on memory system
 13
 14 ## Active Context
 15 - Setting up layered memory system with QMD backend
 16 - Joshua Tree trip: Feb 7-9 (road trip), Feb 9 - Mar 9 (cabin stay)
    ...


Good - WAL protocol: wrote to SESSION-STATE.md before continuing. Now let me run comprehensive tests.

exec

echo "╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗"
echo "║           LINK MEMORY SYSTEM SELF-DIAGNOSTIC                ║"
echo "╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝"
echo ""

echo "━━━ TEST 1: QMD Backend Health ━━━"
export PATH="/Users/brandon/.bun/bin:$PATH"
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-config"
export XDG_CACHE_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache"

if command -v qmd &> /dev/null; then
  echo "✓ QMD CLI installed"
  qmd status 2>&1 | grep -E "(Total|Vectors|Updated)" | sed 's/^/  /'
else
  echo "✗ QMD CLI not found"
fi

echo ""
echo "━━━ TEST 2: Memory Files Exist ━━━"
files=("SESSION-STATE.md" "MEMORY.md" "AGENTS.md" "SOUL.md" "USER.md")
for f in "${files[@]}"; do
  if [ -f "$HOME/.openclaw/workspace/$f" ]; then
    size=$(wc -c < "$HOME/.openclaw/workspace/$f" | tr -d ' ')
    echo "✓ $f (${size} bytes)"
  else
    echo "✗ $f MISSING"
  fi
done

echo ""
echo "━━━ TEST 3: Daily Logs ━━━"
log_count=$(ls ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory/*.md 2>/dev/null | wc -l | tr -d ' ')
echo "  Daily logs found: $log_count"
ls -1 ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory/*.md 2>/dev/null | tail -3 | sed 's/^/  /'

echo ""
echo "━━━ TEST 4: Sub-Agent Workspaces ━━━"
for agent in grocery ledger anchor shepherd muse; do
  ws="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/$agent/workspace"
  if [ -f "$ws/SESSION-STATE.md" ] && [ -f "$ws/AGENTS.md" ]; then
    echo "✓ $agent workspace OK"
  else
    echo "✗ $agent workspace INCOMPLETE"
  fi
done

echo ""
echo "━━━ TEST 5: OpenClaw Config ━━━"
mem_backend=$(jq -r '.memory.backend // "default"' ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json 2>/dev/null)
flush_enabled=$(jq -r '.agents.defaults.compaction.memoryFlush.enabled // false' ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json 2>/dev/null)
echo "  Memory backend: $mem_backend"
echo "  Memory flush enabled: $flush_enabled"

echo ""
echo "━━━ TEST 6: Skill Installed ━━━"
if [ -f "$HOME/.openclaw/workspace/skills/elite-longterm-memory/SKILL.md" ]; then
  echo "✓ elite-longterm-memory skill installed"
else
  echo "✗ elite-longterm-memory skill NOT FOUND"
fi


╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║           LINK MEMORY SYSTEM SELF-DIAGNOSTIC                ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

━━━ TEST 1: QMD Backend Health ━━━
✓ QMD CLI installed
    Total:    20 files indexed
    Vectors:  1268 embedded
    Updated:  2m ago

━━━ TEST 2: Memory Files Exist ━━━
✓ SESSION-STATE.md (832 bytes)
✓ MEMORY.md (8292 bytes)
✓ AGENTS.md (13718 bytes)
✓ SOUL.md (2341 bytes)
✓ USER.md (3550 bytes)

━━━ TEST 3: Daily Logs ━━━
  Daily logs found: 4
  /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/memory/2026-02-04.md
  /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/memory/2026-02-05.md
  /Users/brandon/.openclaw/workspace/memory/2026-02-06.md

━━━ TEST 4: Sub-Agent Workspaces ━━━
✓ grocery workspace OK
✓ ledger workspace OK
✓ anchor workspace OK
✓ shepherd workspace OK
✓ muse workspace OK

━━━ TEST 5: OpenClaw Config ━━━
  Memory backend: qmd
  Memory flush enabled: true

━━━ TEST 6: Skill Installed ━━━
✓ elite-longterm-memory skill installed


All tests passed. Now let me test the actual memory search functionality.

echo "━━━ TEST 7: QMD Query Test ━━━"
export PATH="/Users/brandon/.bun/bin:$PATH"
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-config"
export XDG_CACHE_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache"

# Quick query with timeout
timeout 10 qmd query "Brandon financial spending rules" --json -n 2 2>&1 | head -30


━━━ TEST 7: QMD Query Test ━━━
zsh:7: command not found: timeout


No timeout command on macOS. Let me try without it.

echo "━━━ TEST 7: QMD Query Test ━━━"
export PATH="/Users/brandon/.bun/bin:$PATH"
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-config"
export XDG_CACHE_HOME="$HOME/.openclaw/agents/main/qmd/xdg-cache"

qmd query "Brandon financial spending rules" --json -n 2 2>&1 | head -25


Command still running (session marine-cedar, pid 80135). Use process (list/poll/log/write/kill/clear/remove) for follow-up.


QMD query is still running. Let me poll for the result.


━━━ TEST 7: QMD Query Test ━━━

Process still running.


Still running. Let me wait and poll again.


━━━ TEST 7: QMD Query Test ━━━
Expanding query...
├─ Brandon financial spending rules · (lexical+vector)
├─ guidelines for managing personal financial expenses · (vector)
├─ recommended budgeting tips for personal spending · (vector)
└─ The topic of Brandon financial spending rules covers guidelines for managing ... · (hyde)
Searching 1 lexical + 4 vector queries...
Reranking 17 documents...
]9;4;3]9;4;0
[
  {
    "docid": "#0c7e79",
    "score": 0.55,
    "file": "qmd://sessions/7b8a993f-517a-48ff-95bc-c29d7e3d3d6b.md",
    "title": "Session 7b8a993f-517a-48ff-95bc-c29d7e3d3d6b",
    "snippet": "@@ -1,3 @@ (0 before, 2 after)\nSnowball (smallest balance first). Which cards have the highest APR? 2. **Weekly Financial Reviews** — I can check Monarch every week and flag overspending, unusual charges, or progress toward goals. 3. **Budget Tracking** — Do you have budgets set up in Monarch? I can monitor them. 4. **Savings ..."
  },
  {
    "docid": "#c3a49d",
    "score": 0.43,
    "file": "qmd://sessions/2b279fd7-2e14-4878-ae2a-46f8e6e70611.md",
    "title": "Session 2b279fd7-2e14-4878-ae2a-46f8e6e70611",
    "snippet": "@@ -2,4 @@ (1 before, 0 after)\n\nUser: [cron:67d33686-b665-4b84-ae37-883361528dd4 Ledger: Daily Financial Pulse] Generate the morning financial pulse. Query Monarch Money for current balances and yesterday's transactions. Format as a brief Signal-friendly message with: checking balance, total credit debt (with week-over-week ch..."
  }
]

Process exited with code 0.


QMD query works. Let me also test the memory_search tool directly.

Question: WAL protocol SESSION-STATE