> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://supermemory-temp-snowcone-command.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Supermemory Works

> Understanding the knowledge graph architecture that powers intelligent memory

Supermemory isn't just another document storage system. It's designed to mirror how human memory actually works - forming connections, evolving over time, and generating insights from accumulated knowledge.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/supermemory-temp-snowcone-command/WELADNG3iOMa_BlI/images/graph-view.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=WELADNG3iOMa_BlI&q=85&s=a0419c626b0eccc69c6b7debc26f645f" alt="" width="2786" height="1662" data-path="images/graph-view.png" />

## The Mental Model

Traditional systems store files. Supermemory creates a living knowledge graph.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Traditional Systems" icon="folder">
    * Static files in folders
    * No connections between content
    * Search matches keywords
    * Information stays frozen
  </Card>

  <Card title="Supermemory" icon="network">
    * Dynamic knowledge graph
    * Rich relationships between memories
    * Semantic understanding
    * Information evolves and connects
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Documents vs Memories

Understanding this distinction is crucial to using Supermemory effectively.

### Documents: Your Raw Input

Documents are what you provide - the raw materials:

* PDF files you upload
* Web pages you save
* Text you paste
* Images with text
* Videos to transcribe

Think of documents as books you hand to Supermemory. See [Content Types](/concepts/content-types) for the full list of supported formats.

### Memories: Intelligent Knowledge Units

Memories are what Supermemory creates - the understanding:

* Semantic chunks with meaning
* Embedded for similarity search
* Connected through relationships
* Dynamically updated over time

Think of memories as the insights and connections your brain makes after reading those books.

<Note>
  **Key Insight**: When you upload a 50-page PDF, Supermemory doesn't just store it. It breaks it into hundreds of interconnected memories, each understanding its context and relationships to your other knowledge.
</Note>

## Memory Relationships

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/supermemory-temp-snowcone-command/WELADNG3iOMa_BlI/images/memories-inferred.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=WELADNG3iOMa_BlI&q=85&s=50e5387ef9233f22b5585078b5c35821" alt="" width="5120" height="2880" data-path="images/memories-inferred.png" />

The graph connects memories through three types of relationships. For a deeper dive into how these relationships work, see [Graph Memory](/concepts/graph-memory).

### Updates: Information Changes

When new information contradicts or updates existing knowledge, Supermemory creates an "update" relationship.

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Original Memory theme={null}
  "You work at Supermemory as a content engineer"
  ```

  ```text New Memory (Updates Original) theme={null}
  "You now work at Supermemory as the CMO"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

The system tracks which memory is latest with an `isLatest` field, ensuring searches return current information.

### Extends: Information Enriches

When new information adds to existing knowledge without replacing it, Supermemory creates an "extends" relationship.

Continuing our "working at supermemory" analogy, a memory about what you work on would extend the memory about your role given above.

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Original Memory theme={null}
  "You work at Supermemory as the CMO"
  ```

  ```text New Memory (Extension) - Separate From Previous theme={null}
  "Your work consists of ensuring the docs are up to date, making marketing campaigns, SEO, etc."
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Both memories remain valid and searchable, providing richer context.

### Derives: Information Infers

The most sophisticated relationship - when Supermemory infers new connections from patterns in your knowledge.

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Memory 1 theme={null}
  "Dhravya is the founder of Supermemory"
  ```

  ```text Memory 2 theme={null}
  "Dhravya frequently discusses AI and machine learning innovations"
  ```

  ```text Derived Memory theme={null}
  "Supermemory is likely an AI-focused company"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

These inferences help surface insights you might not have explicitly stated.

## Processing Pipeline

Understanding the pipeline helps you optimize your usage:

| Stage          | What Happens                |
| -------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Queued**     | Document waiting to process |
| **Extracting** | Content being extracted     |
| **Chunking**   | Creating memory chunks      |
| **Embedding**  | Generating vectors          |
| **Indexing**   | Building relationships      |
| **Done**       | Fully searchable            |

<Note>
  **Tip**: Larger documents and videos take longer. A 100-page PDF might take 1-2 minutes, while a 1-hour video could take 5-10 minutes.
</Note>

## Next Steps

Now that you understand how Supermemory works:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Add Memories" icon="plus" href="/add-memories">
    Start adding content to your knowledge graph
  </Card>

  <Card title="Search Memories" icon="search" href="/search">
    Learn to query your knowledge effectively
  </Card>
</CardGroup>