AI engineering glossary · Agents tools MCP
What is procedural memory?
Procedural memory: A memory type that stores how to do things, such as rules, instructions or learned skills that shape an agent's behaviour. In practice it is often kept as an updatable system prompt or a library of saved procedures.
Procedural memory: an example
After feedback, the agent adds a rule to its instructions: 'Always confirm currency before quoting prices'.
Related terms
More Agents tools MCP terms
- Program-aided language model
- Read-only tool
- Reflection
- Replanning
- Retry with backoff
- Router pattern
- Sandbox
- Scope (OAuth)
Where you learn it
Procedural memory is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.