Memory Across Chats
By default each conversation is a blank slate. Memory features let Claude carry useful facts about you across chats — so you don't re-introduce yourself every time.
What "memory" means here
There are a few distinct things people call "memory" — don't confuse them:
| Kind | What it is |
|---|---|
| Context window | Working memory within one chat (forgotten when it ends) — see Tokens & Context |
| Cross-chat memory | Claude remembers facts about you across conversations (the topic of this page) |
| Custom instructions | Standing facts you set explicitly |
| Projects | Knowledge scoped to a workspace |
How cross-chat memory helps
When enabled, Claude can recall things like your preferences, ongoing projects, or details you've shared — making it feel more like a continuous assistant than a stranger each session. Availability and controls depend on your plan.
Stay in control
- Review and edit what's remembered (where the app provides controls).
- Clear or disable it if you want a clean slate or more privacy.
- Don't rely on it for accuracy of important facts — confirm critical details rather than trusting recall.
- Mind privacy — memory persists information; don't store sensitive data you wouldn't want kept. See Privacy.
:::tip Explicit beats implicit For facts that must be applied (your role, units, hard rules), set custom instructions or use a Project — that's more reliable than hoping memory recalls them. :::