---
title: Retrieve a memory
url: https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/api/cli/beta/memory_stores/memories/retrieve
---

# Retrieve a memory

`$ ant beta:memory-stores:memories retrieve`

**GET** `/v1/memory_stores/{memory_store_id}/memories/{memory_id}`

Retrieve a memory

## Parameters

- `--memory-store-id: string` (path parameter)

  The ID of the memory store that holds the memory (`memstore_...`).

- `--memory-id: string` (path parameter)

  The ID of the memory to retrieve (`mem_...`).

- `--view: optional "basic" or "full"` (query parameter)

  Selects which projection of a `memory` or `memory_version` the server returns. `basic` returns the object with `content` set to `null`; `full` populates `content`. When omitted, the default is endpoint-specific: retrieve operations default to `full`; list, create, and update operations default to `basic`. Listing with `view=full` caps `limit` at 20.

- `--beta: optional array of AnthropicBeta` (header parameter)

  Optional header to specify the beta version(s) you want to use.

- `--workspace-id: optional string` (header parameter)

  Optional header to select the Workspace for this request. The value is a Workspace ID (for example, `wrkspc_011CZkZaBF1tNoB5wlCeusgy`).

  Only needed for credentials that can act on more than one Workspace. A credential that belongs to a specific Workspace may omit it; if sent, it must match that Workspace.

## Returns

- `beta_managed_agents_memory: object`

  A `memory` object: a single text document at a hierarchical path inside a memory store. The `content` field is populated when `view=full` and `null` when `view=basic`; the `content_size_bytes` and `content_sha256` fields are always populated so sync clients can diff without fetching content. Memories are addressed by their `mem_...` ID; the path is the create key and can be changed via update.

  - `type: "memory"`

  - `id: string`

    Unique identifier for this memory (a `mem_...` value). Stable across renames; use this ID, not the path, to read, update, or delete the memory.

  - `content_sha256: string`

    Lowercase hex SHA-256 digest of the UTF-8 `content` bytes (64 characters). The server applies no normalization, so clients can compute the same hash locally for staleness checks and as the value for a `content_sha256` precondition on update. Always populated, regardless of `view`.

  - `content_size_bytes: number`

    Size of `content` in bytes (the UTF-8 plaintext length). Always populated, regardless of `view`.

    format: int32

  - `created_at: string`

    When this memory was created, in RFC 3339 format.

    format: date-time

  - `memory_store_id: string`

    ID of the memory store this memory belongs to (a `memstore_...` value).

  - `memory_version_id: string`

    ID of the `memory_version` representing this memory's current content (a `memver_...` value). This is the authoritative head pointer; `memory_version` objects do not carry an `is_latest` flag, so compare against this field instead. Enumerate the history via [List memory versions](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/api/beta/memory_stores/memory_versions/list?sdk_languages=cli).

  - `path: string`

    Hierarchical path of the memory within the store, e.g. `/projects/foo/notes.md`. Always starts with `/`. Paths are case-sensitive and unique within a store. Maximum 1,024 bytes.

  - `updated_at: string`

    When this memory was last modified, in RFC 3339 format. Use this as a cheap freshness signal; for who made the change, look up the head version's `created_by` via [List memory versions](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/api/beta/memory_stores/memory_versions/list?sdk_languages=cli).

    format: date-time

  - `content: optional string`

    The memory's UTF-8 text content. Populated when `view=full`; `null` when `view=basic`. Maximum 100 kB (102,400 bytes).

## Example

```bash
ant beta:memory-stores:memories retrieve \
  --api-key my-anthropic-api-key \
  --memory-store-id memory_store_id \
  --memory-id memory_id
```

### Response (200)

```json
{
  "id": "id",
  "content_sha256": "content_sha256",
  "content_size_bytes": 0,
  "created_at": "2019-12-27T18:11:19.117Z",
  "memory_store_id": "memory_store_id",
  "memory_version_id": "memory_version_id",
  "path": "path",
  "type": "memory",
  "updated_at": "2019-12-27T18:11:19.117Z",
  "content": "content"
}
```