diff --git a/scripts/templates/memory/DAILY-LOG.md b/scripts/templates/memory/DAILY-LOG.md
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+# Daily Log: {{AGENT_NAME}}
+
+> Warm daily capture. One file per day. Filename: memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md
+> Auto-rotated: the pipeline creates a new file each day.
+
+## {{DATE}}
+
+### Summary of Work
+
+[1-3 sentences describing what was accomplished today]
+
+### Decisions Made
+
+| Decision | Context | Outcome |
+|----------|---------|---------|
+| | | |
+
+### Files Modified
+
+- [file path] — [what changed and why]
+
+### Issues Encountered
+
+- [issue description] — [resolution or status]
+
+### Quality Scores
+
+| Pipeline run | Reviewer score | Notes |
+|-------------|---------------|-------|
+| | | |
+
+### Carry Forward
+
+> Items for the next session. These get checked on the next pipeline run.
+
+- [ ] [item that needs attention tomorrow]
+- [ ] [follow-up from today's work]
+
+### Cost
+
+- Estimated tokens used: [if tracked]
+- Pipeline runs: [count]
diff --git a/scripts/templates/memory/MEMORY.md b/scripts/templates/memory/MEMORY.md
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+# Long-Term Memory: {{AGENT_NAME}}
+
+> Cold curated memory. Updated manually or after significant learnings.
+> This is the last file read during compaction recovery.
+
+## Agent Identity
+
+- Name: {{AGENT_NAME}}
+- Role: [what this agent does]
+- Domain: {{DOMAIN}}
+- Created: {{DATE}}
+
+## Key Learnings
+
+> Manually curated from daily logs. Only include insights that affect
+> future behavior. Delete entries that are no longer relevant.
+
+- [learning 1 — date discovered]
+- [learning 2 — date discovered]
+
+## Recurring Patterns
+
+> Patterns observed across multiple runs. Used to improve agent behavior.
+
+| Pattern | Frequency | Impact | Action taken |
+|---------|-----------|--------|-------------|
+| | | | |
+
+## Known Issues
+
+> Active issues that affect agent performance.
+
+- [issue] — [workaround] — [status: open/resolved]
+
+## Project Context
+
+> Static context that doesn't change often.
+
+- Project: {{PROJECT_DIR}}
+- Pipeline: {{PIPELINE_NAME}}
+- Schedule: {{SCHEDULE}}
+- Deployment: [target]
+
+## Last Updated
+
+[date — update this when you curate this file]
diff --git a/scripts/templates/memory/README.md b/scripts/templates/memory/README.md
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+# 3-Tier Memory System
+
+Inspired by OpenClaw's proactive agent memory pattern. Three tiers serve
+different purposes with different update frequencies.
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+Tier 1: SESSION-STATE.md (hot)
+  - Updated every turn
+  - Read FIRST on session start and compaction recovery
+  - Contains: current task, decisions, pending actions, working buffer
+
+Tier 2: memory/YYYY-MM-DD.md (warm)
+  - One file per day, auto-rotated
+  - Updated at end of each pipeline run
+  - Contains: daily summary, decisions, files modified, issues, carry-forward
+
+Tier 3: memory/MEMORY.md (cold)
+  - Updated manually or after significant learnings
+  - Read LAST during compaction recovery
+  - Contains: identity, curated learnings, patterns, known issues
+```
+
+## WAL Protocol (Write-Ahead Logging)
+
+Before responding to the user with important information, write it to
+SESSION-STATE.md first. This prevents data loss if:
+- The session crashes mid-response
+- Context compaction removes the exchange
+- The user's connection drops
+
+## Working Buffer Protocol
+
+When context usage exceeds ~60% (the "danger zone"):
+1. Activate the Working Buffer section in SESSION-STATE.md
+2. Copy critical recent exchanges into the buffer
+3. Extract and list key facts that would be lost on compaction
+4. Continue working normally — the buffer is your safety net
+
+## Compaction Recovery
+
+When Claude resumes after context compaction, it reads in this order:
+1. SESSION-STATE.md (current task, decisions, working buffer)
+2. Today's daily log (what happened today)
+3. MEMORY.md (long-term context, known issues)
+4. Search older daily logs if needed for specific context
+
+## Integration with Agent Factory
+
+During `/agent-factory:build` Phase 2.5 (Memory Setup):
+1. Copy these templates to the user's `memory/` directory
+2. Replace `{{PLACEHOLDER}}` variables with project-specific values
+3. Create the initial SESSION-STATE.md and MEMORY.md
+4. Configure the pipeline skill to update daily logs after each run
+
+## File locations after scaffolding
+
+```
+project/
+  memory/
+    SESSION-STATE.md    (from Tier 1 template)
+    MEMORY.md           (from Tier 3 template)
+    2026-04-11.md       (generated daily, from Tier 2 template)
+    2026-04-12.md
+    ...
+```
diff --git a/scripts/templates/memory/SESSION-STATE.md b/scripts/templates/memory/SESSION-STATE.md
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+# Session State: {{AGENT_NAME}}
+
+> Hot working memory. Updated every turn. Read first on resume.
+
+## WAL Protocol
+
+**Write important details HERE before responding to the user.**
+This prevents data loss if the session crashes or context compacts mid-response.
+
+## Current Task
+
+- Task: [what you're working on right now]
+- Started: [timestamp]
+- Status: [in progress / blocked / waiting]
+- Key decision: [the most important choice made this session]
+
+## Context Window Usage
+
+- Estimated usage: [low / medium / high / DANGER ZONE]
+- If above 60%: activate Working Buffer below
+
+## Active Decisions
+
+| Decision | Choice | Reason | Reversible? |
+|----------|--------|--------|-------------|
+| | | | |
+
+## Pending Actions
+
+- [ ] [action 1]
+- [ ] [action 2]
+
+## Working Buffer
+
+> Activate when context usage exceeds 60%. Capture key exchanges here
+> before they are lost to compaction. This is your safety net.
+
+### Recent exchanges to preserve
+
+[Paste critical user messages and your key responses here when in the danger zone]
+
+### Key facts from this session
+
+[Extract and list facts that would be lost on compaction]
+
+## Compaction Recovery
+
+If you're reading this after a context compaction:
+1. Read this SESSION-STATE.md first (you're here)
+2. Read today's daily log: `memory/$(date +%Y-%m-%d).md`
+3. Read memory/MEMORY.md for long-term context
+4. Search daily logs for relevant prior context
+5. Resume from the Current Task and Pending Actions above