# Keep AI memory in portable Markdown

Practice ID: 37
Topic: `ai` (AI: Boundaries that keep AI useful without surrendering sensitive context, memory, or system access.)
Added: 2026-09-01
Journey entry point: `optimize` (Improve ownership, resilience, privacy, portability, and maintenance across the chosen system.)
Start with: `setup` (setup)
Supports: `ownership-and-open-exits` (ownership and open exits; group: `digital-control` / My data and digital setup), `visible-ai-boundaries` (AI with visible, owned boundaries; group: `ai-boundaries` / My use of AI)

## Pattern

Durable context for AI should remain readable, editable, and owned outside any one model provider.

## Practice

Keep the memory worth preserving in portable Markdown files that you control, then provide only the relevant context to an AI when needed.

## Start small

Save one reusable AI prompt in a Markdown file on your device.

## Watch out

Owned memory can still contain sensitive data; protect it and share only the minimum relevant portion.

## Concepts

- [local-first](https://live.freewith.tech/concepts/local-first.md): Sensitive or durable information stays under personal control before remote convenience is added.
- [ownership and open exits](https://live.freewith.tech/concepts/ownership-and-open-exits.md): A tool remains acceptable while data, access, and future choices can be retained or moved.

## Continue

- [See more in AI.](https://live.freewith.tech/?topic=ai#practices)
- [Journey](https://live.freewith.tech/journey.md)
- [Concepts](https://live.freewith.tech/concepts.md)
- [Complete agent-readable database](https://live.freewith.tech/llms.txt)