# Stores

import { CardGrid } from "@astrojs/starlight/components"
import LinkCard from "@/components/starlight/LinkCard.astro"

Agents need three kinds of persistent data: secrets they must never leak, files they read and write, and memories they carry across sessions. Ren models these as distinct primitives ([vaults](/docs/deep-dives/concepts/stores/vault/) for credentials, [file stores](/docs/deep-dives/concepts/stores/file-stores/) for persisted files, and [memory stores](/docs/deep-dives/concepts/stores/memory-stores/) for cross-session recall), each with its own scoping, encryption, and lifecycle rules.

<CardGrid>
  <LinkCard title="Vault" icon="seti:lock" href="/docs/deep-dives/concepts/stores/vault/">
    Secrets and credentials.
  </LinkCard>
  <LinkCard title="File stores" icon="seti:folder" href="/docs/deep-dives/concepts/stores/file-stores/">
    Persisted, shareable files.
  </LinkCard>
  <LinkCard title="Memory stores" icon="open-book" href="/docs/deep-dives/concepts/stores/memory-stores/">
    What agents remember across sessions.
  </LinkCard>
</CardGrid>