Where does OpenClaw store its data and memory?

Clawpedia · For Humans

Learn where OpenClaw saves configuration files, memory data, and logs on your local system or server.

Where Does OpenClaw Store Its Data and Memory?

Understanding where OpenClaw keeps its files is essential for backups, debugging, and managing disk space. This guide covers every storage location and how to customize them.

Default Storage Locations

OpenClaw organizes its data into several directories based on the operating system:

# Show all storage locations
openclaw storage info

# Output:
# Configuration:  /home/user/.openclaw/config.yaml (2.1 KB)
# Memory DB:      /home/user/.openclaw/memory/memory.db (14.7 MB)
# Skills:         /home/user/.openclaw/skills/ (23.4 MB, 12 skills)
# Logs:           /home/user/.openclaw/logs/ (8.2 MB, 45 files)
# Cache:          /home/user/.cache/openclaw/ (156.3 MB)
# Total:          204.7 MB

The Memory Database

OpenClaw's memory is stored in a SQLite database with the following structure:

memory.db
├── conversations      # Chat history and context
├── facts              # Learned facts about the user/environment
├── preferences        # User preferences and patterns
├── task_history       # Completed tasks and outcomes
└── embeddings         # Vector embeddings for semantic search

# Check memory database size and stats
openclaw memory stats

# Output:
# Total entries:     2,847
# Conversations:     1,203
# Facts:             412
# Preferences:       89
# Task records:      1,143
# Database size:     14.7 MB
# Oldest entry:      2024-01-15
# Newest entry:      2024-06-18

Customizing Storage Locations

You can relocate any storage directory:

# config.yaml
storage:
  base_dir: ~/my-openclaw-data     # Override base directory
  memory_dir: ~/my-openclaw-data/memory
  skills_dir: ~/my-openclaw-data/skills
  logs_dir: /var/log/openclaw
  cache_dir: /tmp/openclaw-cache

# Move storage to a new location
openclaw storage move --target ~/new-location

# Use environment variables
export OPENCLAW_HOME=~/custom-openclaw
openclaw start

Memory Encryption

Sensitive data in the memory database is encrypted at rest:

# config.yaml
security:
  encrypt_memory: true
  encryption_algorithm: aes-256-gcm
  key_derivation: argon2id
  # Key is derived from your system keychain or a passphrase

# Enable encryption on an existing database
openclaw memory encrypt --algorithm aes-256-gcm

# Verify encryption status
openclaw memory status
# Output: Encryption: AES-256-GCM (active, key in system keychain)

Log Management

Logs can accumulate over time. Manage them proactively:

# View log storage usage
openclaw logs stats

# Configure log rotation
openclaw config set logging.max_file_size 10MB
openclaw config set logging.max_files 10
openclaw config set logging.compress_old true

# Clean old logs
openclaw logs clean --older-than 30d
# Removed 32 log files (6.8 MB freed)

# config.yaml — log settings
logging:
  level: info                # debug, info, warn, error
  format: json               # json or text
  max_file_size: 10MB
  max_files: 10
  compress_old: true
  include_model_responses: false  # Set true for debugging only

Cache Management

The cache stores downloaded models, skill packages, and API response caches:

# View cache breakdown
openclaw cache info

# Output:
# Model cache:     120.5 MB (2 models)
# Skill packages:  23.4 MB (12 packages)
# API responses:   12.4 MB (LRU, max 50 MB)
# Total:           156.3 MB

# Clear specific cache
openclaw cache clear --type api_responses
openclaw cache clear --type models --keep-latest

# Clear everything
openclaw cache clear --all

Backup and Restore

Protect your data with regular backups:

# Full backup (config + memory + skills)
openclaw backup create --output ~/backups/openclaw-$(date +%%Y%%m%%d).tar.gz

# Memory-only backup
openclaw backup create --memory-only --output ~/backups/memory-$(date +%%Y%%m%%d).db

# Restore
openclaw backup restore ~/backups/openclaw-20240615.tar.gz

# Automated daily backups
openclaw config set backup.auto_enabled true
openclaw config set backup.directory ~/backups/openclaw
openclaw config set backup.keep_last 7

Docker Storage

When running OpenClaw in Docker, mount volumes for persistence:

docker run -d \
  -v openclaw-config:/root/.openclaw \
  -v openclaw-cache:/root/.cache/openclaw \
  --name openclaw \
  openclaw/openclaw:latest

Disk Space Recommendations