AI engineering glossary · Agents tools MCP
What is short-term memory?
Short-term memory (also called Working memory): Information an agent holds for the current task, usually the conversation and tool results that sit inside the context window. It disappears when the session ends or when older text is trimmed to make space.
Short-term memory: an example
During one chat, the agent recalls that the user said their flight is on 14 December.
Related terms
More Agents tools MCP terms
- Side effect
- Skill library
- State graph
- stdio transport
- Stop condition
- Streamable HTTP
- Subagent
- Supervisor agent
Where you learn it
Short-term 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.