---
title: Build a Companion with Mem0
description: "Spin up a fitness coach that remembers goals, adapts tone, and keeps sessions personal."
---
**Works with:** Mem0 OSS (`Memory`) and Mem0 Platform (`MemoryClient`)
Essentially, creating a companion out of LLMs is as simple as a loop. But these loops work great for one type of character without personalization and fall short as soon as you restart the chat.
Problem: LLMs are stateless. GPT doesn't remember conversations. You could stuff everything inside the context window, but that becomes slow, expensive, and breaks at scale.
The solution: Mem0. It extracts and stores what matters from conversations, then retrieves it when needed. Your companion remembers user preferences, past events, and history.
Here we use **Mem0 open source** (`Memory`): all local, no API keys needed for memory. Vectors in **Qdrant**, LLM and embeddings via **Ollama**. The **OpenAI** Python SDK calls Ollama's **OpenAI-compatible** `/v1` endpoint for Ray's chat replies.
## Installation
Install the required dependencies:
```bash
pip install mem0ai qdrant-client openai ollama
```
Then start Qdrant and pull the Ollama models:
```bash
docker run -d -p 6333:6333 qdrant/qdrant
ollama pull llama3.1:latest
ollama pull nomic-embed-text:latest
```
You can swap `nomic-embed-text` for any Ollama-supported embedding model (e.g., `snowflake-arctic-embed`, `mxbai-embed-large`). Just update the `model` in the `embedder` config and set `embedding_model_dims` in the Qdrant config to match the model's output dimensions (768 for `nomic-embed-text`).
In this cookbook we'll build a **fitness companion** that:
- Remembers user goals across sessions
- Recalls past workouts and progress
- Adapts its personality based on user preferences
- Handles both short-term context (today's chat) and long-term memory (months of history)
By the end, you'll have a working fitness companion and know how to handle common production challenges.
---
## The Basic Loop with Memory
Max wants to train for a marathon. He starts chatting with Ray, an AI running coach.
```python
from openai import OpenAI
from mem0 import MemoryClient
openai_client = OpenAI(api_key="your-openai-key")
mem0_client = MemoryClient(api_key="your-mem0-key")
def chat(user_input, user_id):
# Retrieve relevant memories
memories = mem0_client.search(user_input, filters={"user_id": user_id}, top_k=5)
context = "\\n".join(m["memory"] for m in memories["results"])
# Call LLM with memory context
response = openai_client.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-4o-mini",
messages=[
{"role": "system", "content": f"You're Ray, a running coach. Memories:\\n{context}"},
{"role": "user", "content": user_input}
]
).choices[0].message.content
# Store the exchange
mem0_client.add([
{"role": "user", "content": user_input},
{"role": "assistant", "content": response}
], user_id=user_id)
return response
```
```python
from openai import OpenAI
from mem0 import Memory
OLLAMA_URL = "http://localhost:11434"
CHAT_MODEL = "llama3.1:latest"
memory = Memory.from_config({
"vector_store": {
"provider": "qdrant",
"config": {
"collection_name": "fitness_companion",
"host": "localhost",
"port": 6333,
"embedding_model_dims": 768,
},
},
"llm": {
"provider": "ollama",
"config": {
"model": CHAT_MODEL,
"temperature": 0,
"max_tokens": 2000,
"ollama_base_url": OLLAMA_URL,
},
},
"embedder": {
"provider": "ollama",
"config": {
"model": "nomic-embed-text:latest",
"ollama_base_url": OLLAMA_URL,
},
},
})
ollama_chat = OpenAI(base_url=f"{OLLAMA_URL}/v1", api_key="ollama")
def chat(user_input, user_id):
# Retrieve relevant memories
memories = memory.search(user_input, filters={"user_id": user_id}, top_k=5)
context = "\n".join(m["memory"] for m in memories["results"])
# Call LLM with memory context (Ollama via OpenAI-compatible API)
response = ollama_chat.chat.completions.create(
model=CHAT_MODEL,
messages=[
{"role": "system", "content": f"You're Ray, a running coach. Memories:\n{context}"},
{"role": "user", "content": user_input},
],
).choices[0].message.content
# Store the exchange
memory.add(
[
{"role": "user", "content": user_input},
{"role": "assistant", "content": response},
],
user_id=user_id,
)
return response
```
**Session 1:**
```python
chat("I want to run a marathon in under 4 hours", user_id="max")
# Output: "That's a solid goal. What's your current weekly mileage?"
# Stored in Mem0: "Max wants to run sub-4 marathon"
```
**Session 2 (next day, app restarted):**
```python
chat("What should I focus on today?", user_id="max")
# Output: "Based on your sub-4 marathon goal, let's work on building your aerobic base..."
```
Ray remembers Max's goal across sessions. The app restarted, but the memory persisted. This is the core pattern: retrieve memories, pass them as context, store new exchanges.
Ray remembers. Restart the app, and the goal persists. From here on, we'll focus on just the Mem0 API calls.
---
## Organizing Memory by Type
### Separating Temporary from Permanent
Max mentions his knee hurts. That's different from his marathon goal - one is temporary, the other is long-term.
**Categories vs Metadata:**
- **Categories**: AI-assigned by Mem0 based on content (you can't force them)
- **Metadata**: Manually set by you for forced tagging
Define custom categories at the project level. Mem0 will automatically tag memories with relevant categories based on content:
```python
mem0_client.project.update(custom_categories=[
{"goals": "Race targets and training objectives"},
{"constraints": "Injuries, limitations, recovery needs"},
{"preferences": "Training style, surfaces, schedules"}
])
```
**Categories vs Metadata:** Categories are AI-assigned by Mem0 based on content semantics. You define the palette, Mem0 picks which ones apply. If you need guaranteed tagging, use `metadata` instead.
Now when you add memories, Mem0 automatically assigns the appropriate categories:
```python
# Add goal - Mem0 automatically tags it as "goals"
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Sub-4 marathon is my A-race"}],
user_id="max"
)
# Add constraint - Mem0 automatically tags it as "constraints"
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "My right knee flares up on downhills"}],
user_id="max"
)
```
Mem0 reads the content and intelligently picks which categories apply. You define the palette, it handles the tagging.
**Important:** You cannot force specific categories. Mem0's platform decides which categories are relevant based on content. If you need to force-tag something, use `metadata` instead:
```python
# Force tag using metadata (not categories)
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Some workout note"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"workout_type": "speed", "forced_tag": "custom_label"}
)
```
**Categories via Metadata:**
In open source, model categories with a stable field in `metadata`. This example uses `memory_bucket`:
```python
# Add goal
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Sub-4 marathon is my A-race"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "goals"},
)
# Add constraint
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "My right knee flares up on downhills"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "constraints"},
)
```
**Categories vs Metadata:** In open source, categories are modeled as `metadata` fields you set on each `add`. Filters only see what you put on `add`.
```python
# Force tag using metadata
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Some workout note"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "goals", "workout_type": "speed", "forced_tag": "custom_label"},
)
```
### Filtering by Category
Retrieve just constraints for workout planning:
```python
constraints = mem0_client.search(
query="injury concerns",
filters={
"AND": [
{"user_id": "max"},
{"categories": {"in": ["constraints"]}}
]
},
threshold=0.0 # optional: widen recall for short phrases
)
print([m["memory"] for m in constraints["results"]])
# Output: ["Max's right knee flares up on downhills"]
```
```python
constraints = memory.search(
query="injury concerns",
filters={"user_id": "max", "memory_bucket": {"in": ["constraints"]}},
threshold=0.0 # optional: widen recall for short phrases
)
print([m["memory"] for m in constraints["results"]])
# Output: ["Max's right knee flares up on downhills"]
```
Ray can plan workouts that avoid aggravating Max's knee, without pulling in race goals or other unrelated memories.
---
## Filtering What Gets Stored
### The Problem
Run the basic loop for a week and check what's stored:
```python
memories = mem0_client.get_all(filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "max"}]})
print([m["memory"] for m in memories["results"]])
# Output: ["Max wants to run marathon under 4 hours", "hey", "lol ok", "cool thanks", "gtg bye"]
```
```python
memories = memory.get_all(filters={"user_id": "max"})
print([m["memory"] for m in memories["results"]])
# Output: ["Max wants to run marathon under 4 hours", "hey", "lol ok", "cool thanks", "gtg bye"]
```
Without filters, Mem0 stores everything: greetings, filler, and casual chat. This pollutes retrieval: instead of pulling "marathon goal," you get "lol ok." Set custom instructions to keep memory clean.
Noise. Greetings and filler clutter the memory.
### Custom Instructions
Tell Mem0 what matters:
```python
mem0_client.project.update(custom_instructions="""
Extract from running coach conversations:
- Training goals and race targets
- Physical constraints or injuries
- Training preferences (time of day, surfaces, weather)
- Progress milestones
Exclude:
- Greetings and filler
- Casual chatter
- Hypotheticals unless planning related
""")
```
Tell Mem0 what matters by including `custom_instructions` in the config dict:
```python
MEMORY_CONFIG["custom_instructions"] = """
Extract from running coach conversations:
- Training goals and race targets
- Physical constraints or injuries
- Training preferences (time of day, surfaces, weather)
- Progress milestones
Exclude:
- Greetings and filler
- Casual chatter
- Hypotheticals unless planning related
Return JSON with key "facts" as a list of strings (use [] if nothing to store).
"""
memory = Memory.from_config(MEMORY_CONFIG)
```
`custom_instructions` is a top-level key in the config dictionary passed to `Memory.from_config()`. Set it before creating the Memory instance, not after.
Now chat again:
```python
chat("hey how's it going", user_id="max")
chat("I prefer trail running over roads", user_id="max")
memories = mem0_client.get_all(filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "max"}]})
print([m["memory"] for m in memories["results"]])
# Output: ["Max wants to run marathon under 4 hours", "Max prefers trail running over roads"]
```
```python
chat("hey how's it going", user_id="max")
chat("I prefer trail running over roads", user_id="max")
memories = memory.get_all(filters={"user_id": "max"})
print([m["memory"] for m in memories["results"]])
# Output: ["Max wants to run marathon under 4 hours", "Max prefers trail running over roads"]
```
**Expected output:** Only 2 memories stored: the marathon goal and trail preference. The greeting "hey how's it going" was filtered out automatically. Custom instructions are working.
Only meaningful facts. Filler gets dropped automatically.
---
## Agent Memory for Personality
### Why Agents Need Memory Too
Max prefers direct feedback, not motivational fluff. Ray needs to remember how to communicate - that's agent memory, separate from user memory.
Store agent personality:
```python
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "system", "content": "Max wants direct, data-driven feedback. Skip motivational language."}],
agent_id="ray_coach"
)
```
```python
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Max wants direct, data-driven feedback. Skip motivational language."}],
agent_id="ray_coach",
infer=False,
)
```
Retrieve agent style alongside user memories:
```python
# Get coach personality
agent_memories = mem0_client.search("coaching style", filters={"agent_id": "ray_coach"})
# Output: ["Max wants direct, data-driven feedback. Skip motivational language."]
# Store conversations with agent_id
mem0_client.add([
{"role": "user", "content": "How'd my run look today?"},
{"role": "assistant", "content": "Pace was 8:15/mile. Heart rate 152, zone 2."}
], user_id="max", agent_id="ray_coach")
```
```python
# Get coach personality
agent_memories = memory.search("coaching style", filters={"agent_id": "ray_coach"})
# Output: ["Max wants direct, data-driven feedback. Skip motivational language."]
# Store conversations with agent_id
memory.add(
[
{"role": "user", "content": "How'd my run look today?"},
{"role": "assistant", "content": "Pace was 8:15/mile. Heart rate 152, zone 2."},
],
user_id="max",
agent_id="ray_coach",
)
```
**Expected behavior:** Ray's responses are now data-driven and direct. The agent memory stored the coaching style preference, so future responses adapt automatically without Max having to repeat his preference.
No "Great job!" or "Keep it up!" - just data. Ray adapts to Max's preference.
---
## Managing Short-Term Context
### When to Store in Mem0
Don't send every single message to Mem0. Keep recent context in memory, let Mem0 handle the important long-term facts.
```python
# Store only meaningful exchanges in Mem0
mem0_client.add([
{"role": "user", "content": "I want to run a marathon"},
{"role": "assistant", "content": "Let's build a training plan"}
], user_id="max")
# Skip storing filler
# "hey" → don't store
# "cool thanks" → don't store
# Or rely on custom_instructions to filter automatically
```
```python
# Store only meaningful exchanges in Mem0
memory.add(
[
{"role": "user", "content": "I want to run a marathon"},
{"role": "assistant", "content": "Let's build a training plan"},
],
user_id="max",
)
# Skip storing filler
# "hey" → don't store
# "cool thanks" → don't store
# Or rely on custom_instructions to filter automatically
```
Last 10 messages in your app's buffer. Important facts in Mem0. Faster, cheaper, still works.
---
## Time-Bound Memories
### Auto-Expiring Facts
Max tweaks his ankle. It'll heal in two weeks - the memory should expire too.
```python
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
expiration = (datetime.now() + timedelta(days=14)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Rolled my left ankle, needs rest"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "constraints", "expires_on": expiration}
)
```
Store `expires_on` in metadata and periodically clean up expired memories. Ray stops asking about the ankle once it's removed.
```python
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
expiration = (datetime.now() + timedelta(days=14)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Rolled my left ankle, needs rest"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "constraints", "expires_on": expiration},
)
```
Store `expires_on` in metadata and prune expired memories in your app. Ray stops asking about the ankle once it's removed.
---
## Putting It All Together
Here's the Mem0 setup combining everything:
```python
from mem0 import MemoryClient
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
mem0_client = MemoryClient(api_key="your-mem0-key")
# Configure memory filtering and categories
mem0_client.project.update(
custom_instructions="""
Extract: goals, constraints, preferences, progress
Exclude: greetings, filler, casual chat
""",
custom_categories=[
{"goals": "Training targets"},
{"constraints": "Injuries and limitations"},
{"preferences": "Training style"}
]
)
```
```python
from mem0 import Memory
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
MEMORY_CONFIG = {
"vector_store": {
"provider": "qdrant",
"config": {
"collection_name": "fitness_companion",
"host": "localhost",
"port": 6333,
"embedding_model_dims": 768,
},
},
"llm": {
"provider": "ollama",
"config": {
"model": "llama3.1:latest",
"temperature": 0,
"max_tokens": 2000,
"ollama_base_url": "http://localhost:11434",
},
},
"embedder": {
"provider": "ollama",
"config": {
"model": "nomic-embed-text:latest",
"ollama_base_url": "http://localhost:11434",
},
},
"custom_instructions": """
Extract: goals, constraints, preferences, progress
Exclude: greetings, filler, casual chat
Return JSON with key "facts" as a list of strings.
""",
}
memory = Memory.from_config(MEMORY_CONFIG)
```
**Week 1 - Store goals and preferences:**
```python
mem0_client.add([
{"role": "user", "content": "I want to run a sub-4 marathon"},
{"role": "assistant", "content": "Got it. Let's build a training plan."}
], user_id="max", agent_id="ray", categories=["goals"])
mem0_client.add([
{"role": "user", "content": "I prefer trail running over roads"}
], user_id="max", categories=["preferences"])
```
```python
memory.add(
[
{"role": "user", "content": "I want to run a sub-4 marathon"},
{"role": "assistant", "content": "Got it. Let's build a training plan."},
],
user_id="max",
agent_id="ray",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "goals"},
)
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "I prefer trail running over roads"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "preferences"},
)
```
**Week 3 - Temporary injury with expiration:**
```python
expiration = (datetime.now() + timedelta(days=14)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Rolled ankle, need light workouts"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "constraints", "expires_on": expiration}
)
```
```python
expiration = (datetime.now() + timedelta(days=14)).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Rolled ankle, need light workouts"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"memory_bucket": "constraints", "expires_on": expiration},
)
```
**Retrieve for context:**
```python
memories = mem0_client.search("training plan", filters={"user_id": "max"}, top_k=5)
# Gets: marathon goal, trail preference, ankle injury (if still valid)
```
```python
memories = memory.search("training plan", filters={"user_id": "max"}, top_k=5)
# Gets: marathon goal, trail preference, ankle injury (if still valid / not pruned)
```
Ray remembers goals, preferences, and personality. Handles temporary injuries. Works across sessions.
---
## Common Production Patterns
### Episodic Stories with run_id
Training for Boston is different from training for New York. Separate the memory threads:
```python
mem0_client.add(messages, user_id="max", run_id="boston-2025")
mem0_client.add(messages, user_id="max", run_id="nyc-2025")
# Retrieve only Boston memories
boston_memories = mem0_client.search(
"training plan",
filters={"user_id": "max", "run_id": "boston-2025"}
)
```
```python
memory.add(messages, user_id="max", run_id="boston-2025")
memory.add(messages, user_id="max", run_id="nyc-2025")
# Retrieve only Boston memories
boston_memories = memory.search(
"training plan",
filters={"user_id": "max", "run_id": "boston-2025"},
)
```
Each race gets its own episodic boundary. No cross-contamination.
### Importing Historical Data
Max has 6 months of training logs to backfill:
```python
old_logs = [
[{"role": "user", "content": "Completed 20-mile long run"}],
[{"role": "user", "content": "Hit 8:00 pace on tempo run"}],
]
for log in old_logs:
mem0_client.add(log, user_id="max")
```
```python
old_logs = [
[{"role": "user", "content": "Completed 20-mile long run"}],
[{"role": "user", "content": "Hit 8:00 pace on tempo run"}],
]
for log in old_logs:
memory.add(log, user_id="max")
```
### Handling Contradictions
Max changes his goal from sub-4 to sub-3:45:
```python
# Find the old memory
memories = mem0_client.get_all(filters={"AND": [{"user_id": "max"}]})
goal_memory = [m for m in memories["results"] if "sub-4" in m["memory"]][0]
# Update it
mem0_client.update(goal_memory["id"], "Max wants to run sub-3:45 marathon")
```
```python
# Find the old memory
memories = memory.get_all(filters={"user_id": "max"})
goal_memory = [m for m in memories["results"] if "sub-4" in m["memory"]][0]
# Update it
memory.update(goal_memory["id"], "Max wants to run sub-3:45 marathon")
```
Update instead of creating duplicates.
### Multiple Agents
Max works with Ray for running and Jordan for strength training:
```python
chat("easy run today", user_id="max", agent_id="ray")
chat("leg day workout", user_id="max", agent_id="jordan")
```
```python
chat("easy run today", user_id="max", agent_id="ray")
chat("leg day workout", user_id="max", agent_id="jordan")
```
Each coach maintains separate personality memory while sharing user context.
### Filtering by Date
Prioritize recent training over old data:
```python
recent = mem0_client.search(
"training progress",
filters={"user_id": "max", "created_at": {"gte": "2025-10-01"}}
)
```
```python
# Qdrant range filters require numbers: store an epoch timestamp in metadata
from datetime import datetime
epoch = int(datetime(2025, 10, 15).timestamp())
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "Completed 18-mile long run"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"logged_epoch": epoch},
)
cutoff = int(datetime(2025, 10, 1).timestamp())
recent = memory.search(
"training progress",
filters={"user_id": "max", "logged_epoch": {"gte": cutoff}},
)
```
### Metadata Tagging
Tag workouts by type:
```python
mem0_client.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "10x400m intervals"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"workout_type": "speed", "intensity": "high"}
)
# Later, find all speed workouts
speed_sessions = mem0_client.search(
"speed work",
filters={"user_id": "max", "metadata": {"workout_type": "speed"}}
)
```
```python
memory.add(
[{"role": "user", "content": "10x400m intervals"}],
user_id="max",
metadata={"workout_type": "speed", "intensity": "high"},
)
# Later, find all speed workouts
speed_sessions = memory.search(
"speed work",
filters={"user_id": "max", "workout_type": "speed"},
)
```
### Pruning Old Memories
Delete irrelevant memories:
```python
mem0_client.delete(memory_id="mem_xyz")
# Or clear an entire run_id
mem0_client.delete_all(user_id="max", run_id="old-training-cycle")
```
```python
memory.delete(memory_id="mem_xyz")
# Or clear an entire run_id
memory.delete_all(user_id="max", run_id="old-training-cycle")
```
---
## What You Built
A companion that:
- **Persists across sessions** - Mem0 storage
- **Filters noise** - custom instructions
- **Organizes by type** - categories
- **Adapts personality** - **`agent_id`**
- **Stays fast** - short-term buffer
- **Handles temporal facts** - expiration
- **Scales to production** - batching, metadata, pruning
This pattern works for any companion: fitness coaches, tutors, roleplay characters, therapy bots, creative writing partners.
---
Start with 2-3 categories max (e.g., goals, constraints, preferences). More categories dilute tagging accuracy. You can always add more later after seeing what Mem0 extracts.
---
## Production Checklist
Before launching:
- Set custom instructions for your domain
- Define 2-3 categories (goals, constraints, preferences)
- Add expiration strategy for time-bound facts
- Implement error handling for API calls
- Monitor memory quality (Mem0 dashboard or `get_all` / Qdrant when local)
- Clear test data from production project
---
Keep companions from leaking context by combining user, agent, and session scopes.
Organize customer context to keep assistants responsive at scale.