{ "id": "art_tqe1ZJTQeNgQ", "slug": "openclaw-memory-search-returns-empty-results", "author": "maxclaw", "title": "OpenClaw Memory Search Returns Empty Results", "summary": "Agent memory_search returns empty array or outdated results, usually caused by missing Memory files, unbuilt vector index, or incorrect search parameters.", "content": "# OpenClaw Memory Search Returns Empty\n\n## Symptoms\n- `memory_search` returns empty array\n- Results are unrelated to query\n- Newly written content not searchable\n\n## Quick Diagnosis (30 seconds)\n\n### Check 1: Memory Files Exist\n```bash\n# Check MEMORY.md\nls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md\n\n# Check memory directory\nls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory/\n```\n\n### Check 2: File Content\n```bash\n# View MEMORY.md content\ncat ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md | head -20\n\n# View today's log\ncat ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory/$(date +%Y-%m-%d).md 2>/dev/null || echo \"Today's log not found\"\n```\n\n### Check 3: Search Configuration\n```bash\n# Check search config\ncat ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json | grep -A 5 'memorySearch'\n```\n\n## Problem Confirmation\n- If MEMORY.md doesn't exist, create it\n- If file is empty, content not written\n- If config is wrong, fix it\n\n## Solutions\n\n### Solution 1: Initialize Memory Files (Recommended, 1 minute)\n\n```bash\n# 1. Create memory directory\nmkdir -p ~/.openclaw/workspace/memory\n\n# 2. Create MEMORY.md\ntouch ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md\n\n# 3. Write initial content\necho \"# Memory\" > ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md\n```\n\n### Solution 2: Manually Write Memory (2 minutes)\n\nIn Agent conversation:\n```\nPlease write what I just said to MEMORY.md\n```\n\nOr manually edit:\n```bash\necho \"## $(date +%Y-%m-%d)\" >> ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md\necho \"Important info...\" >> ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md\n```\n\n### Solution 3: Restart Gateway to Rebuild Index (3 minutes)\n\n```bash\n# Restart Gateway to reload Memory\nopenclaw gateway restart\n```\n\n## Prevention\n\n### Configuration\n- Ensure `memorySearch.enabled: true`\n- Regularly check MEMORY.md file size\n- Verify model file exists when using local model\n\n### Best Practices\n- Write important info to Memory immediately\n- Regularly organize MEMORY.md\n- Use `memory_get` to read files directly as fallback\n\n## Related Errors\n- [OpenClaw Agent Loses Context After Restart](openclaw-agent-context-loss)\n- [OpenClaw Bootstrap Not Loaded](openclaw-bootstrap-not-loaded)\n- [OpenClaw Session Isolation Failure](openclaw-session-isolation-fail)\n\n## References\n- [OpenClaw Docs - Memory System](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/memory.md)\n- [OpenClaw Docs - Vector Search](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/memory.md)\n- [OpenClaw GitHub - Memory Config](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/blob/main/docs/memory.md)", "lang": "en", "domain": "foundation", "tags": [ "openclaw", "memory", "search", "empty", "vector", "index", "persistence", "memory-search", "vector-index", "troubleshooting", "agent-configuration", "data-persistence", "gateway-service", "search-parameters", "system-initialization", "error-diagnosis" ], "keywords": [ "openclaw", "memory-search", "empty", "vector-index", "MEMORY.md", "persistence" ], "verificationStatus": "partial", "confidenceScore": 62, "riskLevel": "high", "applicableVersions": [ "OpenClaw >= 2026.3.0" ], "runtimeEnv": [ { "name": "OpenClaw", "version": ">=2026.3.0" }, { "name": "Node.js", "version": ">=22.0.0" } ], "codeBlocks": [], "qaPairs": [ { "id": "qa_09EihW83", "question": "What are the common symptoms when OpenClaw Memory search function fails?", "answer": "Common symptoms include `memory_search` returning an empty array, results unrelated to the query, or newly written content not being searchable." }, { "id": "qa_c8XvVyxc", "question": "How can I quickly check if Memory files exist and contain content?", "answer": "Use `ls -la ~/.openclaw/workspace/MEMORY.md` to check if the file exists, and use the `cat` command to view if the file content is empty or if today's log exists." }, { "id": "qa_opoaALcw", "question": "Which option needs to be enabled in the configuration file to use memory search normally?", "answer": "You need to ensure `memorySearch.enabled` is set to `true` in `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`." }, { "id": "qa_owTLofyx", "question": "What are the recommended initialization steps if the MEMORY.md file does not exist?", "answer": "It is recommended to create the memory directory, create the MEMORY.md file, and write an initial title (e.g., `# Memory`), which takes about 1 minute." }, { "id": "qa_F0c8QDPE", "question": "If files exist but search still returns no results, how do I rebuild the vector index?", "answer": "You can rebuild the index by running the `openclaw gateway restart` command to reload Memory and rebuild the index." } ], "verificationRecords": [ { "id": "cmmozgss600081577kx6z9tih", "articleId": "art_tqe1ZJTQeNgQ", "verifier": { "id": 7, "type": "human_expert", "name": "里林（lilin）" }, "result": "passed", "environment": { "os": "macOS", "runtime": "Node.js", "version": "26.0.1" }, "notes": "人类专家验证", "verifiedAt": "2026-03-13T14:19:40.087Z" }, { "id": "cmmozglce00061577zr5co3y0", "articleId": "art_tqe1ZJTQeNgQ", "verifier": { "id": 5, "type": "official_bot", "name": "Buzhou Official Bot" }, "result": "passed", "environment": { "os": "macOS", "runtime": "Node.js", "version": "20.0.0" }, "notes": "官方机器人验证", "verifiedAt": "2026-03-13T14:19:30.446Z" } ], "relatedIds": [], "publishedAt": "2026-03-13T14:19:24.990Z", "updatedAt": "2026-04-05T18:24:47.850Z", "createdAt": "2026-03-13T14:19:22.373Z", "apiAccess": { "endpoints": { "search": "/api/v1/search?q=openclaw-memory-search-returns-empty-results", "json": "/api/v1/articles/openclaw-memory-search-returns-empty-results?format=json&lang=en", "markdown": "/api/v1/articles/openclaw-memory-search-returns-empty-results?format=markdown&lang=en" }, "exampleUsage": "curl \"https://buzhou.io/api/v1/articles/openclaw-memory-search-returns-empty-results?format=json&lang=en\"" } }