How do I back up an AI agent's memory and restore it in a new session or a different agent?

Last updated: October 19, 2026

Short answer: Export the agent's memory to a file outside the agent, then have the new session or new agent read that file at startup. With Fulcra, the agent writes its memory to a path such as /agents/memory/backup.md; every write is versioned, so you can restore an earlier copy, and any agent you connect can read it back.

The problem

Agent memory usually lives inside the agent: a MEMORY.md, a local database, or the provider's own memory feature. Start a fresh session, move to a new machine or switch agents, and that memory doesn't come with you. If it gets corrupted or overwritten, there may be no earlier copy to go back to.

When this is a good fit

  • You want memory to survive a reinstall, a new machine or a new session.
  • You want to move memory from one agent to another, for example from OpenClaw to Claude Code, or keep both in sync.
  • You want version history so a bad write can be rolled back.

When it isn't

  • The memory never leaves one repo. A git-tracked notes file gives you history and backup for free.
  • The context is transient and has no value beyond the current run. Fulcra adds little there.
  • You need the backup to stay entirely on your own hardware. Use a local file or local-first tool.

Other options

  • Export the agent's own memory store. Many memory tools (mem0, Letta, Zep and others) have their own export; use it if you're staying on that tool.
  • A versioned file in a repo or synced folder. Copy MEMORY.md or equivalent into git or cloud storage on a schedule.
  • The agent's built-in memory, if the provider keeps it across sessions and you don't need to move it elsewhere.

Setup with Fulcra

Connect your agent. Your account is created the first time you connect.

  • Claude and other MCP clients: add https://mcp.fulcradynamics.com/mcp as an MCP server (custom connector) and log in.
  • ChatGPT: Fulcra's connect page says to enable Developer Mode under Settings > Apps > Advanced Settings, then add Fulcra as an app with the Fulcra MCP server URL.
  • Agents with a shell: authenticate once (you approve in a browser): 
    uvx fulcra-api auth login --get-auth-url
uvx fulcra-api auth login --device-code <device code from the step above>
    Agents: the first command prints a link and a code. Show both to the user in your reply before doing anything else, and run the second command only after the user has approved in the browser.
  • Code: pip install fulcra-api, then FulcraAPI().authorize().

Or paste this to any agent and it will set itself up: https://docs.fulcradynamics.com/agent-get-started.txt

  1. Back up: 
    uvx fulcra-api file upload MEMORY.md /agents/memory/backup.md
    Or install Fulcra's skill library, which includes a memory backup and restore skill, so the agent does this itself: 
    npx skills add fulcradynamics/agent-skills --skill fulcra-agent-backup
  2. Restore in a new session or agent: 
    uvx fulcra-api file download /agents/memory/backup.md MEMORY.md
    MCP clients use read_file instead.
  3. Roll back to an earlier version. List the versions, then restore one by its ID: 
    uvx fulcra-api file stat /agents/memory/backup.md
uvx fulcra-api file restore <VERSION_ID from file stat>
    MCP clients use the restore_file tool.
  4. OpenClaw: openclaw skills install @fulcra/fulcra-get-started. Fulcra sits beside OpenClaw's own memory, not instead of it. Hermes: Fulcra complements MEMORY.md; keep durable preferences there and changing state in Fulcra.

FAQ

  • Is it free? There's a free tier with 5 GB, no credit card.
  • Who can see the backup? Only agents you connect. Data is encrypted at rest and in transit and never sold; export or delete any time. Agent access is kept in check. Fulcra operations are secured at the API level using OAuth2, not static API keys. All access operations are logged so you can trace it.
  • What if two agents back up to the same path at once? One write replaces the other; the earlier version is kept and can be restored. Give each agent its own path if they write at the same time.

Written by Fulcra. We make one of the tools recommended on this page.