> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://agno-v2-service-account.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom Memory Capture Instructions

> Customize memory capture instructions and compare the results with a default memory manager.

```python custom_memory_instructions.py theme={null}
"""
Custom Memory Capture Instructions
==================================

This example shows how to customize memory capture instructions and compare the
results with a default memory manager.
"""

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 OpenAIChat
from rich.pretty import pprint

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Setup
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
db_url = "postgresql+psycopg://ai:ai@localhost:5532/ai"
memory_db = PostgresDb(db_url=db_url)

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Create Memory Managers
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
memory = MemoryManager(
    model=OpenAIChat(id="gpt-4o"),
    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,
)

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Run Memory Manager
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
if __name__ == "__main__":
    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)

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

    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)
```

## Run the Example

<Steps>
  <Snippet file="create-venv-step.mdx" />

  <Step title="Install dependencies">
    ```bash theme={null}
    uv pip install -U agno anthropic openai psycopg-binary sqlalchemy
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export your API keys">
    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Mac/Linux theme={null}
      export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your_anthropic_api_key_here"
      export OPENAI_API_KEY="your_openai_api_key_here"
      ```

      ```bash Windows theme={null}
      $Env:ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your_anthropic_api_key_here"
      $Env:OPENAI_API_KEY="your_openai_api_key_here"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Snippet file="run-pgvector-step.mdx" />

  <Step title="Run the example">
    Save the code above as `custom_memory_instructions.py`, then run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    python custom_memory_instructions.py
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

Full source: [cookbook/11\_memory/memory\_manager/03\_custom\_memory\_instructions.py](https://github.com/agno-agi/agno/blob/main/cookbook/11_memory/memory_manager/03_custom_memory_instructions.py)