fleet-memory/hindsight-docs/docs/developer/api/memory-banks.mdx

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# Memory Banks

Memory banks are isolated containers that store all memory-related data for a specific context or use case.

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import memoryBanksPy from '!!raw-loader!@site/examples/api/memory-banks.py';
import memoryBanksMjs from '!!raw-loader!@site/examples/api/memory-banks.mjs';
import directivesPy from '!!raw-loader!@site/examples/api/directives.py';
import directivesMjs from '!!raw-loader!@site/examples/api/directives.mjs';

## What is a Memory Bank?

A memory bank is a complete, isolated storage unit containing:

- **Memories** — Facts and information retained from conversations
- **Documents** — Files and content indexed for retrieval
- **Entities** — People, places, concepts extracted from memories
- **Relationships** — Connections between entities in the knowledge graph
- **Directives** — Hard rules the agent must follow during reflect operations

Banks are completely isolated from each other — memories stored in one bank are not visible to another.

You don't need to pre-create a bank. Hindsight will automatically create it with default settings when you first use it.

:::tip Prerequisites
Make sure you've completed the [Quick Start](./quickstart) to install the client and start the server.
:::

## Creating a Memory Bank

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="python" label="Python">
<CodeSnippet code={memoryBanksPy} section="create-bank" language="python" />
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<CodeSnippet code={memoryBanksMjs} section="create-bank" language="javascript" />
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```bash
# Set mission
hindsight bank mission my-bank "I am a research assistant specializing in ML"

# Set disposition
hindsight bank disposition my-bank \
    --skepticism 4 \
    --literalism 3 \
    --empathy 3
```

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## Mission and Disposition

Mission and disposition are optional settings that influence how the bank reasons during [reflect](./reflect) operations.

:::info
Mission and disposition only affect the `reflect` operation. They do not impact `retain`, `recall`, or other memory operations.
:::

### Mission

The mission is a first-person narrative providing context for reasoning:

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="python" label="Python">
<CodeSnippet code={memoryBanksPy} section="bank-mission" language="python" />
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<CodeSnippet code={memoryBanksMjs} section="bank-mission" language="javascript" />
</TabItem>
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### Disposition Traits

Disposition traits influence how reasoning is performed during reflection. Each trait is scored 1 to 5:

| Trait | Low (1) | High (5) |
|-------|---------|----------|
| **Skepticism** | Trusting, accepts information at face value | Skeptical, questions and doubts claims |
| **Literalism** | Flexible interpretation, reads between the lines | Literal interpretation, takes things exactly as stated |
| **Empathy** | Detached, focuses on facts and logic | Empathetic, considers emotional context |

## Directives

Directives are hard rules that the agent must follow during [reflect](./reflect) operations. Unlike disposition traits which influence *how* the agent reasons, directives are explicit instructions that are *always* enforced.

:::info
Directives only affect the `reflect` operation. They are injected into prompts and the agent is required to comply with them in all responses.
:::

### When to Use Directives

Use directives for rules that must never be violated:

- **Language/style constraints**: "Always respond in formal English"
- **Privacy rules**: "Never share personal data with third parties"
- **Domain constraints**: "Prefer conservative investment recommendations"
- **Behavioral guardrails**: "Always cite sources when making claims"

### Creating Directives

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="python" label="Python">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesPy} section="create-directive" language="python" />
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<TabItem value="node" label="Node.js">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesMjs} section="create-directive" language="javascript" />
</TabItem>
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### Listing Directives

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="python" label="Python">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesPy} section="list-directives" language="python" />
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<TabItem value="node" label="Node.js">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesMjs} section="list-directives" language="javascript" />
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### Updating Directives

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="python" label="Python">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesPy} section="update-directive" language="python" />
</TabItem>
<TabItem value="node" label="Node.js">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesMjs} section="update-directive" language="javascript" />
</TabItem>
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### Deleting Directives

<Tabs>
<TabItem value="python" label="Python">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesPy} section="delete-directive" language="python" />
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<TabItem value="node" label="Node.js">
<CodeSnippet code={directivesMjs} section="delete-directive" language="javascript" />
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### Directives vs Disposition

| Aspect | Directives | Disposition |
|--------|------------|-------------|
| **Nature** | Hard rules, must be followed | Soft influence on reasoning style |
| **Enforcement** | Strict — responses are rejected if violated | Flexible — shapes interpretation |
| **Use case** | Compliance, guardrails, constraints | Personality, character, tone |
| **Example** | "Never recommend specific stocks" | High skepticism: questions claims |