How do I give OpenClaw or Hermes persistent memory?

Last updated: October 19, 2026

Short answer: Both already have built-in memory, so start there. Add an external store when you need state that changes often, backups you can restore, or memory other agents can read. Fulcra sits beside the built-in memory for that: install it in OpenClaw with openclaw skills install @fulcra/fulcra-get-started, or tell Hermes "Get started with Fulcra at https://github.com/fulcradynamics/agent-skills/".

The problem

OpenClaw and Hermes remember things between sessions on their own. The gaps people hit are different:

  • Changing state. Built-in memory suits durable preferences and facts. Hermes's MEMORY.md is deliberately small (Fulcra's Hermes page puts the cap at about 2,200 characters), so task progress, logs and what changed today don't fit well.
  • Backups. If the agent's machine or memory is lost or corrupted, there's nothing to restore from.
  • Other agents. Claude Code, Codex or a second OpenClaw can't read this agent's memory.

When this is a good fit

  • You want OpenClaw or Hermes to back up its memory and restore it later.
  • Your agent should check what other agents left since its last loop.
  • You want logs or tracking data that grow over time, kept as records or time series rather than in a memory file.

When it isn't

  • Built-in memory already covers what you need. Don't add a second system.
  • All the context your agent needs is in the current request and has no value beyond it.

Other options

  • Built-in memory only. Simplest; stays with that agent.
  • mem0 or Honcho. Memory layers people use with agents; compare on hosting, data ownership and export.
  • A git repo or synced folder of notes. Works if the agent can reach it; no change tracking across agents.

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

Fulcra doesn't replace OpenClaw's or Hermes's memory. Keep durable preferences and facts there; use Fulcra for changing state, backups and sharing.

OpenClaw

openclaw skills install @fulcra/fulcra-get-started

Or connect OpenClaw over MCP. Then ask, for example, "Back up your memory to Fulcra" or "Check what other agents left in Fulcra since your last loop."

Hermes

Tell Hermes:

Get started with Fulcra at https://github.com/fulcradynamics/agent-skills/

Then use MEMORY.md for durable preferences and facts, and Fulcra for state that changes.

Either agent, from a shell

uvx fulcra-api file upload MEMORY.md /agents/hermes/MEMORY.md
uvx fulcra-api data-updates "1 hour"

Every file write creates a new version. To restore a backup, list versions with uvx fulcra-api file stat /agents/hermes/MEMORY.md, then run uvx fulcra-api file restore <VERSION_ID> (MCP: restore_file). The skills library (npx skills add fulcradynamics/agent-skills) includes memory backup/restore and shared workspaces.

FAQ

  • Is it free? There's a free tier with 5 GB and no credit card. Your account is created when you first connect.
  • Who can see my agent's memory? Only agents you connect, and anyone you explicitly share with (read-only; they can't write to your datastore). 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. Data is encrypted at rest and in transit and never sold.
  • Can OpenClaw and Hermes share memory? Yes, if both connect to the same Fulcra account. Give each its own files (for example /agents/hermes/ and /agents/openclaw/): if two agents write the same file at once, one write replaces the other, though the earlier version is kept and restorable.

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