> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mneno.lollopanta.it/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Memory Extraction

> Extract validated structured memories from text locally or through an LLM provider.

Mneno can extract structured memories from raw text. Deterministic extraction is the default and requires no provider.

## Extract without storing

```python theme={null}
from mneno import MemoryClient

client = MemoryClient()
result = client.extract_memories(
    "The user is building Mneno. The user prefers Python 3.11."
)

for item in result.extracted:
    print(item.content, item.memory_type, item.importance)

print(result.errors)
```

The result reports its extraction mode, extracted memories, and validation errors.

## Extract and add memories

```python theme={null}
result = client.add_from_text(
    "The user is building Mneno. The user prefers Python 3.11."
)

for item in result.extracted:
    print(item.memory_id, item.content)
```

Valid extracted memories can be added even when another extracted item fails validation.

## Use an LLM provider

LLM-assisted extraction uses only the `LLMProvider` protocol. Provider output must be structured JSON and pass Pydantic validation.

```python theme={null}
from mneno import MemoryClient
from mneno.providers import DummyLLMProvider

client = MemoryClient(llm_provider=DummyLLMProvider())
result = client.extract_memories(
    "The user is building Mneno and prefers Python 3.11.",
    use_llm=True,
)
```

If `use_llm=True` and no provider is configured, Mneno raises a provider error. Invalid provider output produces explicit validation errors instead of being accepted silently.

## LLM-assisted compaction wording

LLMs do not choose which memories are deleted, merged, or retained. Deterministic policy makes those decisions first. An `LLMProvider` may only improve wording for a merge group that deterministic compaction already selected.

```python theme={null}
diff = client.preview_compaction(use_llm=True)
```

If the provider returns invalid merge output, Mneno falls back to deterministic merged content.