- name
- dory-memory
- description
- File-based memory system for AI agents that forget between sessions. Implements the "Dory-Proof" pattern for continuity across context resets. Use when setting up agent memory, building workspace structure, implementing task tracking, or preventing context-loss errors. Triggers on "memory system", "remember between sessions", "Dory pattern", "agent continuity", or "workspace setup".
Dory-Proof Memory System
AI agents forget everything between sessions. This skill implements a file-based memory system that survives context resets.
Core Principle
Text > Brain. Write everything down. Files are memory. The agent only "remembers" what's on disk.
The Dory-Proof Pattern (Critical)
When the user gives a task:
- IMMEDIATELY write their EXACT WORDS to
state/ACTIVE.md - Then interpret what it means
- Then do the work
- Mark complete when done
Why: Paraphrasing introduces drift. Exact words preserve intent across context flushes.
Workspace Structure
workspace/
├── AGENTS.md # Operating rules (system file, don't rename)
├── SOUL.md # Identity + personality
├── USER.md # About the human
├── MEMORY.md # Curated long-term memory (<10KB)
├── LESSONS.md # "Never again" safety rules
├── TOOLS.md # Tool-specific notes
│
├── state/ # Active state (check every session)
│ ├── ACTIVE.md # Current task (exact user words)
│ ├── HOLD.md # Blocked items (check before acting!)
│ ├── STAGING.md # Drafts awaiting approval
│ └── DECISIONS.md # Recent choices with timestamps
│
├── memory/ # Historical
│ ├── YYYY-MM-DD.md
│ ├── recent-work.md
│ └── archive/
│
└── ops/ # Operational
└── WORKSPACE-INDEX.mdBoot Sequence (Every Session)
- Read
state/HOLD.md— what's BLOCKED - Read
state/ACTIVE.md— current task - Read
state/DECISIONS.md— recent choices - Read
memory/recent-work.md— last 48 hours - Read
MEMORY.md— long-term (main session only)
Output status line after boot:
📋 Boot: ACTIVE=[task] | HOLD=[n] items | STAGING=[n] draftsState File Formats
state/ACTIVE.md
## Current Instruction
**User said:** "[exact quote]"
**Interpretation:** [what you think it means]
**Status:**
- [ ] Step 1
- [ ] Step 2state/HOLD.md
[YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM | session] Item — reason blockedALL agents must check before acting on anything that looks ready.
state/DECISIONS.md
[YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM | session] Decision madeConflict Resolution
When files conflict, priority (highest first):
- state/HOLD.md — blocks override all
- state/ACTIVE.md — current instruction
- state/DECISIONS.md — recent choices
- AGENTS.md — general rules
Memory Scoring (Before Saving to MEMORY.md)
Score on 4 axes (0–3 each):
| Axis | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity | Gone tomorrow | Weeks | Months | Years+ |
| Reuse | One-off | Occasional | Frequent | Every session |
| Impact | Trivial | Nice to know | Changes outputs | Changes decisions |
| Uniqueness | Obvious | Slightly helpful | Hard to rederive | Impossible without |
Save if: Total ≥ 8, OR any axis = 3 AND total ≥ 6.
Quick Setup
Copy template files from assets/templates/ to your workspace:
cp -r skills/dory-memory/assets/templates/* ~/.openclaw/workspace/Then customize SOUL.md and USER.md for your agent.
References
references/IMPLEMENTATION-GUIDE.md— Full setup walkthroughreferences/ANTI-PATTERNS.md— Common mistakes to avoid