Basic Memory
Basic Memory is a knowledge management system that allows you to build a persistent semantic graph from conversations with AI assistants. All knowledge is stored in standard Markdown files on your computer, giving you full control and ownership of yo
What is Basic Memory?
Basic Memory is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to basic memory is a knowledge management system that allows you to build a persistent semantic graph from conversations with ai assistants. all knowledge is stored in standard markdown files on your com...
Basic Memory is a knowledge management system that allows you to build a persistent semantic graph from conversations with AI assistants. All knowledge is stored in standard Markdown files on your computer, giving you full control and ownership of yo
This server falls under the Knowledge & Memory category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Basic Memory is a knowledge management system that allows yo
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y basic-memoryPIP
pip install basic-memoryManual Installation
npx -y basic-memoryConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Basic Memory
Basic Memory is a local-first knowledge management system that lets AI assistants build and navigate a persistent semantic graph stored as standard Markdown files on your computer. It works by writing structured observations, relations, and wikilinks into plain .md files that both humans and AI can read, creating a true knowledge graph that survives across sessions without any cloud dependency. The MCP server integrates with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible clients, exposing tools for writing notes, searching the graph, browsing recent activity, and managing multiple memory projects.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.10+ with uv installed (recommended package manager for basic-memory)
- An MCP-compatible client: Claude Desktop, Claude Code CLI, Cursor, or Codex CLI
- Disk space for your Markdown knowledge files (default location: ~/basic-memory/)
- Obsidian (optional) — basic-memory generates Obsidian-compatible canvas files for visual graph browsing
Install basic-memory using uv
The recommended installation method uses uv tool install, which creates an isolated environment and puts the basic-memory CLI on your PATH.
uv tool install basic-memoryAdd basic-memory to Claude Desktop
Edit your claude_desktop_config.json to add the basic-memory MCP server. The uvx command runs basic-memory in an isolated environment without a separate activation step.
{
"mcpServers": {
"basic-memory": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["basic-memory", "mcp"]
}
}
}Add basic-memory to Claude Code (alternative)
If you are using the Claude Code CLI instead of Claude Desktop, register the server with the mcp add command.
claude mcp add basic-memory -- uvx basic-memory mcpRestart your MCP client
Restart Claude Desktop or reload your MCP client. Basic Memory tools (write_note, search, read_note, recent_activity, etc.) should now appear in the connected tools.
Create your first memory
Ask your AI assistant to write a note. Basic Memory will create a Markdown file in ~/basic-memory/ with structured observations and relations that persist across future sessions.
Browse and configure projects
Basic Memory supports multiple named projects. Use the CLI to list existing projects or create a new one pointed at a different directory.
basic-memory project list
basic-memory project add work ~/work-notes/
basic-memory project default workBasic Memory Examples
Client configuration
Full claude_desktop_config.json entry for basic-memory using uvx. No API keys required — all data stays local.
{
"mcpServers": {
"basic-memory": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["basic-memory", "mcp"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
These prompts demonstrate the knowledge graph tools basic-memory exposes to your AI assistant.
- "Create a note about our API design decisions from today's meeting"
- "What do you know about the authentication service from my previous notes?"
- "Show me everything I've worked on or discussed in the past week"
- "Search my memory for any notes related to database indexing strategies"
- "Generate an Obsidian canvas showing how my project notes are connected"
- "List all notes in my 'work' project and summarize the main topics"Troubleshooting Basic Memory
uvx basic-memory mcp exits immediately with a command not found error
Ensure uv is installed (curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh) and that the uv bin directory is on your PATH. Then re-run uv tool install basic-memory to register the CLI.
Notes are written but search returns no results
Basic Memory builds its search index from the Markdown files on disk. If you just wrote a note, try asking again — indexing is near-instant for small knowledge bases. If problems persist, run basic-memory sync from the terminal to rebuild the index.
The wrong project is active and notes go to the wrong directory
Run basic-memory project list to see all configured projects and their paths. Use basic-memory project default <name> to switch the default project, then restart your MCP client.
Frequently Asked Questions about Basic Memory
What is Basic Memory?
Basic Memory is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that basic memory is a knowledge management system that allows you to build a persistent semantic graph from conversations with ai assistants. all knowledge is stored in standard markdown files on your computer, giving you full control and ownership of yo It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Basic Memory?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y basic-memory. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with Basic Memory?
Basic Memory works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Basic Memory free to use?
Yes, Basic Memory is open source and available under the AGPL-3.0 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Basic Memory Alternatives — Similar Knowledge & Memory Servers
Looking for alternatives to Basic Memory? Here are other popular knowledge & memory servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
MemPalace
★ 52.6kA local AI memory system that stores all conversations verbatim and organizes them into navigable structures. It provides 19 MCP tools for AI assistants to search and retrieve past decisions, debugging sessions, and architecture debates automatically
Kratos
★ 25.7k🏛️ Memory System for AI Coding Tools - Never explain your codebase again. MCP server with perfect project isolation, 95.8% context accuracy, and the Four Pillars Framework.
Context Mode
★ 15.4kAn MCP server that preserves LLM context by intercepting large data outputs and returning only concise summaries or relevant sections. It enables efficient sandboxed code execution, file processing, and documentation indexing across multiple programm
Memu
★ 13.7kMemory for 24/7 proactive agents like OpenClaw.
MemOS
★ 9.3kMemOS (Memory Operating System) is a memory management operating system designed for AI applications. Its goal is: to enable your AI system to have long-term memory like a human, not only remembering what users have said but also actively invoking, u
Everos
★ 5.4kBuild, evaluate, and integrate long-term memory for self-evolving agents.
Browse More Knowledge & Memory MCP Servers
Explore all knowledge & memory servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up Basic Memory in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
Ready to use Basic Memory?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.