MindOS
Local-first knowledge base MCP server. Lets AI agents (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.) read and write your personal knowledge base through 20 MCP tools. Zero cloud dependency — all files stay on your machine.
What is MindOS?
MindOS is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to local-first knowledge base mcp server. lets ai agents (claude code, cursor, etc.) read and write your personal knowledge base through 20 mcp tools. zero cloud dependency — all files stay on your machi...
Local-first knowledge base MCP server. Lets AI agents (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.) read and write your personal knowledge base through 20 MCP tools. Zero cloud dependency — all files stay on your machine.
This server falls under the Knowledge & Memory category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Local-first knowledge base MCP server. Lets AI agents (Claud
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mindosConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use MindOS
MindOS is a local-first knowledge base MCP server that lets AI agents like Claude read, write, search, and organize your personal knowledge base through 20 MCP tools. All files stay on your machine with zero cloud dependency — your notes, SOPs, and insights never leave your local filesystem. It is designed to turn AI agent interactions into persistent, reusable knowledge by capturing insights from conversations and distilling them into structured markdown notes. Developers and knowledge workers use it to build a personal second-brain that AI agents can actively query and update.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ and npm (or pnpm) installed
- Python 3.8+ if using source installation
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor
- Git (for cloning from source)
Install MindOS globally
Install the MindOS CLI globally via npm so the mindos command is available system-wide.
npm install -g @geminilight/mindos@latestRun the onboarding wizard
Run the interactive onboarding command. It guides you through setting your knowledge base path, selecting a template (English or Chinese), configuring ports, setting up authentication, and optionally configuring an AI provider. Configuration is saved to ~/.mindos/config.json.
mindos onboardStart the MindOS service
Start the local MindOS server. Optionally open the web UI to browse and edit your knowledge base in a browser.
mindos start
mindos openInstall MindOS MCP into your AI agent
Run the MCP install command to register MindOS as an MCP server in your agent (e.g., Claude Desktop or Cursor). The -g flag installs globally and -y accepts all defaults.
mindos mcp install -g -yInstall workflow skills (optional)
Install pre-built workflow skill templates that teach the AI agent how to interact with your knowledge base effectively. Choose English or Chinese templates.
npx skills add https://github.com/GeminiLight/MindOS --skill mindos -g -yConfigure Claude Desktop manually (alternative)
If you prefer manual configuration, add MindOS to your Claude Desktop config file at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mindos": {
"command": "mindos",
"args": ["mcp", "start"]
}
}
}MindOS Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration after running mindos mcp install, or configured manually.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mindos": {
"command": "mindos",
"args": ["mcp", "start"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Natural language prompts you can send to Claude after MindOS is connected.
- "Read my resume from my files and organize my professional info into MindOS."
- "Distill the key insights from this conversation into MindOS as a reusable SOP."
- "Search my MindOS knowledge base for notes about project planning."
- "Help me execute the onboarding SOP from MindOS for a new team member."Troubleshooting MindOS
mindos command not found after install
Ensure your npm global bin directory is in your PATH. Run 'npm bin -g' to find the path and add it to your shell profile (e.g., ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc).
MCP server not appearing in Claude Desktop
Re-run 'mindos mcp install -g -y' and then fully restart Claude Desktop. Check ~/.mindos/config.json to verify the service port is correct and 'mindos start' is running.
Knowledge base files not accessible to the agent
Confirm the knowledge base path set during 'mindos onboard' exists and is readable. Re-run 'mindos onboard' to update the path if you moved your notes folder.
Frequently Asked Questions about MindOS
What is MindOS?
MindOS is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that local-first knowledge base mcp server. lets ai agents (claude code, cursor, etc.) read and write your personal knowledge base through 20 mcp tools. zero cloud dependency — all files stay on your machine. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install MindOS?
Follow the installation instructions on the MindOS GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with MindOS?
MindOS works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is MindOS free to use?
Yes, MindOS is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
MindOS Alternatives — Similar Knowledge & Memory Servers
Looking for alternatives to MindOS? Here are other popular knowledge & memory servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
MemPalace
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Kratos
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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 MindOS 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
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