---
url: https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/memory.md
description: >-
  Memory is what Pencel picks up about how you like things done as you work, and
  you can review it, add notes, turn items off or delete them.
---

# Memory

As you work with Pencel, it picks up how you like things done: your preferences, the context around your work and the decisions you've made. That's **Memory**. It helps your teammates get things right without you repeating yourself.

## Memory or Knowledge?

| | Memory | Knowledge |
|---|---|---|
| **What it holds** | How you like things done: preferences, context, past decisions | Facts about your business: what you sell, your certifications, your policies |
| **Where it comes from** | Pencel picks it up from your conversations and work | You add it, or confirm what Pencel suggests |
| **Where to see it** | **Settings ▸ Memory** | **Library ▸ Knowledge** in the left sidebar |

A good rule of thumb: if it has to be exactly right, like a price, a registration number or a policy, put it in [Knowledge](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/knowledge.html). Memory is for softer things, like "keep summaries to five bullets."

## How Pencel learns

You don't have to do anything. As you chat and work, Pencel notes what's worth remembering and uses it when it's relevant to a later task. You can see everything it keeps, add your own notes, and switch off or delete anything you don't want used.

## Open Memory

Go to **Settings ▸ Memory**, or press **⌘K** and type Memory. There are three tabs.

* **Journal**: what Pencel noted, grouped by date. Each entry is something it picked up from a conversation or a piece of work.
* **Profile**: Pencel's summary of what it knows about you, sorted into topics such as User Preferences & Style, Business Context & Domain, People & Roles, and Priorities & Goals. The **Overview** at the top pulls it together. Topics update themselves as you work, so you can read them here but not edit them.
* **Facts**: short facts about your business that every teammate sees in every room and chat, such as payment terms, where you're based and what you sell. Only what you confirm or type is here. Click **Add fact** to add one, or click a fact to edit it or remove it. Answers you give on [Home](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/home.html) land here too.

## Add a note

Click **New Note** and write what you want Pencel to remember. It saves as you type and appears under **Profile**. For example:

* "I prefer one-page summaries with the recommendation first."
* "When I say 'the board', I mean our three-person advisory board."
* "Maria handles scheduling. Copy her on anything about site visits."

## Turn something off or delete it

Click any journal entry or note to open it.

* **Activation** controls whether it's used. **Smart** means teammates use it when it's relevant to the task. **Off** keeps it but stops teammates using it.
* The trash icon next to an item deletes it. Deleting can't be undone.
* **Save as Knowledge**, on a journal entry, keeps it as a lasting note under **Profile**.

To tidy several journal entries at once, hover over each one and tick its box, then click **Save** or **Delete**.

::: tip Fix the source, not just the memory
If Pencel keeps getting a fact about your business wrong, correct it under **Facts**, where every fact is one you've confirmed. Use Memory for how you like things done.
:::

## Good to know

* **Memory stays on your computer**, with the rest of your workspace. See [Data handling](https://pencel.ai/docs/privacy-and-security/data-handling.html).
* **Pencel keeps Memory tidy on its own.** You don't need to manage it. Check it now and then if a teammate seems to have picked up the wrong idea.

## Related

* [Knowledge](https://pencel.ai/docs/concepts/knowledge.html)
* [Teach Pencel about your business](https://pencel.ai/docs/guides/teach-pencel-about-your-business.html)
* [Settings](https://pencel.ai/docs/reference/settings.html)