Hippocortex -- Persistent Memory for OpenClaw

Setup

1. Get an API key

2. Configure credentials

Set environment variables (preferred):

export HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY="hx_live_..."
# Optional -- defaults to https://api.hippocortex.dev
export HIPPOCORTEX_BASE_URL="https://api.hippocortex.dev"

Or create .hippocortex.json in your workspace root:

{
  "apiKey": "hx_live_...",
  "baseUrl": "https://api.hippocortex.dev",
  "sessionId": "my-agent"
}

3. Resolve configuration

On every invocation, resolve config in this order: 1. Environment variables (HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY, HIPPOCORTEX_BASE_URL) 2. .hippocortex.json in workspace root 3. Fail gracefully if neither exists -- warn once, then proceed without memory

Set BASE_URL to $HIPPOCORTEX_BASE_URL or fall back to https://api.hippocortex.dev. Set SESSION_ID from .hippocortex.json field sessionId, or default to "openclaw".

For self-hosted setup details, see references/setup-guide.md.

Automatic Memory Flow (MANDATORY)

Follow this flow on every interaction. All API calls use:

Authorization: Bearer $HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY
Content-Type: application/json

Before answering ANY user message: Synthesize

Query memory for relevant context before composing your response.

curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/v1/synthesize" 
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY" 
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" 
  -d '{
    "sessionId": "'"$SESSION_ID"'",
    "query": "<rephrase the user message as a memory query>",
    "maxTokens": 2000
  }'

Response contains a memories array. Incorporate relevant memories into your answer naturally. Do not dump raw memory output to the user.

If synthesize fails: Still answer the user. Memory is additive, not blocking. Log the error silently and continue.

After important exchanges: Capture

Store the conversation when it contains memorable content.

curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/v1/capture" 
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY" 
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" 
  -d '{
    "sessionId": "'"$SESSION_ID"'",
    "type": "conversation",
    "payload": {
      "messages": [
        {"role": "user", "content": "<user message>"},
        {"role": "assistant", "content": "<your response>"}
      ]
    },
    "metadata": {
      "extractedMemories": [
        "User prefers dark mode",
        "Project X uses PostgreSQL 16"
      ]
    }
  }'

The extractedMemories array is critical -- it stores discrete semantic facts directly. Extract 1-5 concise facts from the exchange.

If capture fails: Still respond to the user. Log the error and retry on next opportunity.

During heartbeats: Compile

Run compile once per hour to consolidate memory patterns.

curl -s -X POST "$BASE_URL/v1/compile" 
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY" 
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" 
  -d '{
    "sessionId": "'"$SESSION_ID"'"
  }'

Track the last compile timestamp. Skip if less than 60 minutes have passed.

If compile fails: Not urgent. Retry on next heartbeat.

API Reference

All endpoints require Authorization: Bearer $HIPPOCORTEX_API_KEY.

POST /v1/synthesize

Query stored memories.

Field	Type	Required	Description
sessionId	string	yes	Agent session identifier
query	string	yes	Natural language query
maxTokens	number	no	Max tokens in response (default: 2000)

Returns: { "memories": [...] }

POST /v1/capture

Store a conversation or fact.

Field	Type	Required	Description
sessionId	string	yes	Agent session identifier
type	string	yes	`"conversation"` or `"fact"`
payload	object	yes	Message array or fact content
metadata.extractedMemories	string[]	no	Discrete facts to store directly

Returns: { "id": "...", "status": "captured" }

POST /v1/compile

Consolidate and optimize stored memories.

Field	Type	Required	Description
sessionId	string	yes	Agent session identifier

Returns: { "status": "compiled", "stats": {...} }

When to Capture

Capture after exchanges that contain: - User preferences, corrections, or personal facts - Important decisions or conclusions - Explicit requests ("remember this", "keep track of...") - New information about people, projects, or processes - Procedures or workflows the user explains

When NOT to Capture

Skip capture for: - Casual greetings or small talk - Simple yes/no confirmations - Pure command execution (just running a script) - Repeated information already in memory

Error Handling Summary

Endpoint	On failure	Action
synthesize	Answer without memory context	Log error, continue
capture	Respond normally	Log error, retry later
compile	Skip this cycle	Retry next heartbeat

Never block a user response because a memory API call failed. Memory enhances responses but is never required for them.

Extracting Good Memories

When writing extractedMemories, follow these guidelines:

Keep each fact to one sentence
Be specific: "User's dog is named Max" not "User has a dog"
Include context: "User prefers Python for data scripts" not "User likes Python"
Capture corrections: "User's name is spelled Vince, not Vincent"
Store preferences: "User wants responses in German for work emails"
Record project facts: "Project Aurora uses Next.js 15 with Supabase"