> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cogna8-io.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cogna8-io.gitbook.io/docs/core-concepts/state-vs-memory.md).

# State vs Memory

## The Distinction

Cogna8 makes a deliberate distinction between **memory** and **state**. This is a practical requirement driven by how real systems fail.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**If everything becomes governed state**, the system drowns in integrity overhead. **If nothing becomes governed state**, agents act on whatever they last encountered with no integrity checks. Cogna8 maintains the boundary between these two failure modes.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Governed State" %}
**Information that carries operational weight**

Governed state participates in integrity checks, policy enforcement, and action gating. It has canonical keys, lifecycle status, scope assignment, and traceability.

**Examples:** "The budget is $50,000" (constraint), "Sarah is the project lead" (fact), "We approved PostgreSQL" (decision), "Payment terms are net-30" (commitment)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Memory (Retained Context)" %}
**Information useful for continuity, not yet operational**

Memory is retained for conversational continuity but does not currently participate in action integrity.

**Examples:** "The user prefers morning meetings" (low impact preference), "We discussed three database options but made no final choice" (unresolved), "I think the deadline might slip" (unconfirmed belief)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

***

## The Promotion Path

Information moves from memory into governed state when it becomes action-relevant:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Explicit Confirmation**

A tentative statement is confirmed as a commitment or decision.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Action Dependency**

A downstream action now depends on the value, pulling it into the governed path.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Conflict Emergence**

The information contradicts existing governed state, forcing resolution.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Repeated Reference**

The information is referenced consistently enough to indicate operational significance.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Policy Requirement**

A governed action path requires the key to be present and resolved.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**This selective approach is one of Cogna8's most important architectural choices.** It enables systems to maintain conversational richness without imposing integrity overhead on every piece of information.
{% endhint %}