# Custom Memory Instructions (/memory/working-with-memories/custom-memory-instructions)



The local database setup below requires Docker.

Pass `memory_capture_instructions` to control what a `MemoryManager` captures. The first manager below only records academic interests. The second uses the default instructions for comparison.

## Code [#code]

```python title="custom-memory-instructions.py"
from agno.db.postgres import PostgresDb
from agno.memory import MemoryManager
from agno.models.anthropic.claude import Claude
from agno.models.message import Message
from agno.models.openai import OpenAIResponses
from rich.pretty import pprint

db_url = "postgresql+psycopg://ai:ai@localhost:5532/ai"

memory_db = PostgresDb(db_url=db_url)

memory = MemoryManager(
    model=OpenAIResponses(id="gpt-5.2"),
    memory_capture_instructions="""\
                    Memories should only include details about the user's academic interests.
                    Only include which subjects they are interested in.
                    Ignore names, hobbies, and personal interests.
                    """,
    db=memory_db,
)

john_doe_id = "john_doe@example.com"

memory.create_user_memories(
    message="""\
My name is John Doe.

I enjoy hiking in the mountains on weekends,
reading science fiction novels before bed,
cooking new recipes from different cultures,
playing chess with friends.

I am interested to learn about the history of the universe and other astronomical topics.
""",
    user_id=john_doe_id,
)


memories = memory.get_user_memories(user_id=john_doe_id)
print("John Doe's memories:")
pprint(memories)


# Use default memory manager
memory = MemoryManager(model=Claude(id="claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929"), db=memory_db)
jane_doe_id = "jane_doe@example.com"

# Send a history of messages and add memories
memory.create_user_memories(
    messages=[
        Message(role="user", content="Hi, how are you?"),
        Message(role="assistant", content="I'm good, thank you!"),
        Message(role="user", content="What are you capable of?"),
        Message(
            role="assistant",
            content="I can help you with your homework and answer questions about the universe.",
        ),
        Message(role="user", content="My name is Jane Doe"),
        Message(role="user", content="I like to play chess"),
        Message(
            role="user",
            content="Actually, forget that I like to play chess. I more enjoy playing table top games like dungeons and dragons",
        ),
        Message(
            role="user",
            content="I'm also interested in learning about the history of the universe and other astronomical topics.",
        ),
        Message(role="assistant", content="That is great!"),
        Message(
            role="user",
            content="I am really interested in physics. Tell me about quantum mechanics?",
        ),
    ],
    user_id=jane_doe_id,
)

memories = memory.get_user_memories(user_id=jane_doe_id)
print("Jane Doe's memories:")
pprint(memories)
```

## Usage [#usage]

<Steps>
    <Step title="Set up your virtual environment">
      <CodeBlockTabs defaultValue="Mac">
        <CodeBlockTabsList>
          <CodeBlockTabsTrigger value="Mac">
            Mac
          </CodeBlockTabsTrigger>

          <CodeBlockTabsTrigger value="Windows">
            Windows
          </CodeBlockTabsTrigger>
        </CodeBlockTabsList>

        <CodeBlockTab value="Mac">
          ```bash
          uv venv --python 3.12
          source .venv/bin/activate
          ```
        </CodeBlockTab>

        <CodeBlockTab value="Windows">
          ```bash
          uv venv --python 3.12
          .venv\Scripts\activate
          ```
        </CodeBlockTab>
      </CodeBlockTabs>
    </Step>

  <Step title="Set your API keys">
    ```bash
    export OPENAI_API_KEY=xxx
    export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=xxx
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install dependencies">
    ```bash
    uv pip install -U agno openai anthropic sqlalchemy 'psycopg[binary]'
    ```
  </Step>

    <Step title="Run PgVector">
      <CodeBlockTabs defaultValue="macOS / Linux">
        <CodeBlockTabsList>
          <CodeBlockTabsTrigger value="macOS / Linux">
            macOS / Linux
          </CodeBlockTabsTrigger>

          <CodeBlockTabsTrigger value="Windows">
            Windows
          </CodeBlockTabsTrigger>
        </CodeBlockTabsList>

        <CodeBlockTab value="macOS / Linux">
          ```bash
          docker run -d \
            -e POSTGRES_DB=ai \
            -e POSTGRES_USER=ai \
            -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=ai \
            -e PGDATA=/var/lib/postgresql \
            -v pgvolume:/var/lib/postgresql \
            -p 5532:5432 \
            --name pgvector \
            agnohq/pgvector:18
          ```
        </CodeBlockTab>

        <CodeBlockTab value="Windows">
          ```powershell
          docker run -d `
            -e POSTGRES_DB=ai `
            -e POSTGRES_USER=ai `
            -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=ai `
            -e PGDATA=/var/lib/postgresql `
            -v pgvolume:/var/lib/postgresql `
            -p 5532:5432 `
            --name pgvector `
            agnohq/pgvector:18
          ```
        </CodeBlockTab>
      </CodeBlockTabs>
    </Step>

  <Step title="Run example">
    ```bash
    python custom-memory-instructions.py
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>