The Three Layers
Working context within a single session. Fast read/write. Cleared when the session closes. Stores conversation state, intermediate results, and scratchpad data. Uses a verbatim window (recent N messages) plus a rolling summary (compressed older context).
Institutional knowledge that persists across sessions within a channel. Summarized from session memory via compaction when sessions close. Shared across all agents in the channel. Captures recurring patterns, key decisions, and domain context.
RAG-indexed durable archive. Persists indefinitely. Searchable via vector embeddings. Stores semantic memories (facts, knowledge) and episodic memories (events, history). Cross-channel scope.
Promotion Flow
Memory flows downstream through the layers:Session → session close / eviction → Channel → eviction / archive → Long-Term
Memory never flows upstream automatically. Long-term memories are retrieved on demand via vector similarity search, not rehydrated into session context.
Memory never flows upstream automatically. Long-term memories are retrieved on demand via vector similarity search, not rehydrated into session context.
Compaction
Both session and channel memory undergo periodic compaction to stay within token budgets:| Layer | Schedule | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Session | Every 6 hours | Summary re-condensed, low-value content pruned |
| Channel | Weekly | Cross-session summary re-condensed, stale context archived to long-term |
Configuration
Agent definitions control memory behavior via thememory field: none (cold start every time), session (session only), persistent (session + channel), or vector (all three layers with RAG retrieval).
In Burgundy: View agent memory from the agent detail page. →