In a recent LinkedIn post, Dan Sherrard-Smith delves into a common yet often overlooked issue when using AI writing assistants like Claude: the AI’s persistent ‘memory file’ and how it can lead to significant errors if not properly configured.
Sherrard-Smith recounts a personal experience where the AI, Claude, began to confuse his identity while he was drafting a post about another founder. This unusual behavior prompted a deeper investigation into the AI’s operational parameters.
“When you start using Claude (or any tool like ChatGPT), it keeps a standing memory file about you: → Who you are, → what you sell, → who you serve, → your tone of voice. It reads that note before it writes a single word.”
This memory file, Sherrard-Smith explains, is crucial because the AI references it before generating any content. While it’s typically set up quickly during the initial stages of using the tool, it often goes unreviewed. The potential for inaccuracies, as Sherrard-Smith discovered, lies in what information is left blank or is incorrectly inferred by the AI.
The Impact of an Inaccurate AI Memory File
The implications of an improperly configured memory file can be far-reaching, affecting all content generated by the AI. As Sherrard-Smith points out, if this foundational information is off, then subsequent outputs—whether they are social media posts, emails, or any content intended to be in the user’s voice—will also be flawed.
He emphasizes that even experienced users can be caught off guard. Despite regularly using Claude for various tasks, including research, budgeting, data analysis, and outreach, Sherrard-Smith admitted to feeling like a ‘numpty’ after realizing the role his AI’s memory file played in the earlier error.
“And if that memory file is off, everything built on top of it is off: Every post. Every email. Every ‘write this in my voice.'”
Correcting AI Misconfigurations: A Three-Step Fix
To address situations where AI tools seem to be ‘acting dumb’ or producing nonsensical output, Sherrard-Smith offers a practical, three-step method that he suggests takes only about three minutes to implement. This process is designed to identify and correct inaccuracies in the AI’s understanding of the user.
Step 1: Review the Memory File
The first step involves directly asking the AI to read its memory file back to the user, verbatim. This allows the user to see exactly what information the AI has stored about them.
Step 2: Assess the AI’s Understanding
Next, Sherrard-Smith recommends asking the AI to articulate its understanding of who the user is, their target audience, and their current business stage. The responses that are incorrect highlight the specific parts the AI has ‘invented’ or misunderstood.
“The wrong answers are the parts it invented.”
Step 3: Make a Single, Crucial Correction
Finally, Sherrard-Smith advises correcting just one key line in the memory file—specifically, clarifying the user’s current stage or situation, rather than aspirational future states. This single adjustment can help realign the AI’s context.
Sherrard-Smith concludes by encouraging users to save his post for future reference, positioning it as a helpful resource for troubleshooting AI-related errors. He frames this proactive approach as essential for leveraging AI tools effectively and ensuring they accurately reflect the user’s identity and objectives.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Dan Sherrard-Smith on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on September 3, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →