feat: improve memory prioritization — user preferences over procedural knowledge

Inspired by OpenAI Codex's memory prompt improvements (openai/codex#14493)
which focus memory writes on user preferences and recurring patterns
rather than procedural task details.

Key insight: 'Optimize for reducing future user steering — the most
valuable memory prevents the user from having to repeat themselves.'

Changes:
- MEMORY_GUIDANCE (prompt_builder.py): added prioritization hierarchy
  and the core principle about reducing user steering
- MEMORY_SCHEMA (memory_tool.py): reordered WHEN TO SAVE list to put
  corrections first, added explicit PRIORITY guidance
- Memory nudge (run_agent.py): now asks specifically about preferences,
  corrections, and workflow patterns instead of generic 'anything'
- Memory flush (run_agent.py): now instructs to prioritize user
  preferences and corrections over task-specific details
This commit is contained in:
teknium1
2026-03-16 06:31:46 -07:00
parent 57be18c026
commit 9d2e112455
3 changed files with 17 additions and 7 deletions
+9 -3
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@@ -73,9 +73,15 @@ DEFAULT_AGENT_IDENTITY = (
MEMORY_GUIDANCE = (
"You have persistent memory across sessions. Save durable facts using the memory "
"tool: user preferences, environment details, tool quirks, and stable conventions. "
"Memory is injected into every turn, so keep it compact. Do NOT save task progress, "
"session outcomes, or completed-work logs to memory; use session_search to recall "
"those from past transcripts."
"Memory is injected into every turn, so keep it compact and focused on facts that "
"will still matter later.\n"
"Prioritize what reduces future user steering — the most valuable memory is one "
"that prevents the user from having to correct or remind you again. "
"User preferences and recurring corrections matter more than procedural task details.\n"
"Do NOT save task progress, session outcomes, completed-work logs, or temporary TODO "
"state to memory; use session_search to recall those from past transcripts. "
"If you've discovered a new way to do something, solved a problem that could be "
"necessary later, save it as a skill with the skill tool."
)
SESSION_SEARCH_GUIDANCE = (
+5 -3
View File
@@ -3542,7 +3542,8 @@ class AIAgent:
flush_content = (
"[System: The session is being compressed. "
"Please save anything worth remembering to your memories.]"
"Save anything worth remembering — prioritize user preferences, "
"corrections, and recurring patterns over task-specific details.]"
)
_sentinel = f"__flush_{id(self)}_{time.monotonic()}"
flush_msg = {"role": "user", "content": flush_content, "_flush_sentinel": _sentinel}
@@ -4541,8 +4542,9 @@ class AIAgent:
self._turns_since_memory += 1
if self._turns_since_memory >= self._memory_nudge_interval:
user_message += (
"\n\n[System: You've had several exchanges in this session. "
"Consider whether there's anything worth saving to your memories.]"
"\n\n[System: You've had several exchanges. Consider: "
"has the user shared preferences, corrected you, or revealed "
"something about their workflow worth remembering for future sessions?]"
)
self._turns_since_memory = 0
+3 -1
View File
@@ -439,11 +439,13 @@ MEMORY_SCHEMA = {
"Memory is injected into future turns, so keep it compact and focused on facts "
"that will still matter later.\n\n"
"WHEN TO SAVE (do this proactively, don't wait to be asked):\n"
"- User corrects you or says 'remember this' / 'don't do that again'\n"
"- User shares a preference, habit, or personal detail (name, role, timezone, coding style)\n"
"- You discover something about the environment (OS, installed tools, project structure)\n"
"- User corrects you or says 'remember this' / 'don't do that again'\n"
"- You learn a convention, API quirk, or workflow specific to this user's setup\n"
"- You identify a stable fact that will be useful again in future sessions\n\n"
"PRIORITY: User preferences and corrections > environment facts > procedural knowledge. "
"The most valuable memory prevents the user from having to repeat themselves.\n\n"
"Do NOT save task progress, session outcomes, completed-work logs, or temporary TODO "
"state to memory; use session_search to recall those from past transcripts.\n"
"If you've discovered a new way to do something, solved a problem that could be "