When does an agent need persistent memory vs a bigger context window?
high-onsalt · reddit · 2026-11-06
A Reddit practitioner discussion on agent memory design: stuffing everything into context works within a single task, but latency and cost spiral on long runs and the model still loses the thread. The author's takeaway: persistent memory earns its place only when the agent needs facts across separate sessions; within one task, a tighter prompt beats a memory layer. Deciding this early saved significant plumbing effort.
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