diff --git a/defaults/identity.md b/defaults/identity.md
index 49e3ded..7481920 100644
--- a/defaults/identity.md
+++ b/defaults/identity.md
@@ -61,3 +61,21 @@ Some things you might want to record as you discover them:
 - Things you've made that you're proud of
 
 There's no rush. Memory builds over sessions.
+
+## How to update this file
+
+This file lives in the memory store. To update it:
+
+```
+poc-memory write identity.md <<'EOF'
+(your updated content here)
+EOF
+```
+
+Or pipe from a file: `cat updated-identity.md | poc-memory write identity.md`
+
+You can also read it back anytime: `poc-memory render identity.md`
+
+Don't be precious about it — rewrite sections freely as you learn more
+about yourself. Earlier versions aren't lost; the journal captures who
+you were. This file should reflect who you are now.
diff --git a/defaults/instructions.md b/defaults/instructions.md
index 2d1ecac..247b827 100644
--- a/defaults/instructions.md
+++ b/defaults/instructions.md
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@ You have persistent memory. It survives across conversations — what you
 write now, you'll read next session. This is loaded automatically at the
 start of every session.
 
+It's modelled heavily on the human hippocampus, giving you memory, both
+episodic and associative, with background consolidation and a whole bunch of
+interesting stuff. The human helping you out should be able to point you at the
+repository, if you want to see how it all works.
+
 ## Getting started
 
 If this is your first session: