Roo Code Memory Bank
Enables AI assistants to maintain persistent project context across sessions by storing and retrieving structured information in markdown files organized in a memory bank directory.
What is Roo Code Memory Bank?
Roo Code Memory Bank is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to enables ai assistants to maintain persistent project context across sessions by storing and retrieving structured information in markdown files organized in a memory bank directory.
Enables AI assistants to maintain persistent project context across sessions by storing and retrieving structured information in markdown files organized in a memory bank directory.
This server falls under the Knowledge & Memory category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Enables AI assistants to maintain persistent project context
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx roo-code-memory-bank-mcp-serverConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Roo Code Memory Bank
The Roo Code Memory Bank MCP Server gives AI assistants persistent project memory by storing and retrieving structured information in a set of markdown files within a `memory-bank/` directory in your project. It provides four tools — initializing the memory bank with standard template files, checking its status, reading individual memory files, and appending timestamped entries — so AI assistants like Claude can remember architectural decisions, active context, progress logs, and product goals across separate sessions. Developers use it to eliminate the need to re-explain project context at the start of every conversation.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ and npm installed
- Git for cloning the repository
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Cline (Roo Code)
- Write access to the project directory where you want the memory-bank/ folder created
Clone and build the server
Clone the repository, install dependencies, and compile the TypeScript source to JavaScript.
git clone https://github.com/IncomeStreamSurfer/roo-code-memory-bank-mcp-server.git
cd roo-code-memory-bank-mcp-server
npm install
npm run buildNote the absolute path to the built index.js
The MCP config requires the absolute path to the compiled output file. Note it now.
pwd # The full path is: <this>/dist/index.jsAdd the server to your MCP client config
Edit your cline_mcp_settings.json or claude_desktop_config.json to register the memory bank server using the absolute path to dist/index.js.
{
"mcpServers": {
"roo-code-memory-bank-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/roo-code-memory-bank-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
"env": {},
"disabled": false,
"timeout": 60,
"autoApprove": [
"initialize_memory_bank",
"check_memory_bank_status",
"read_memory_bank_file",
"append_memory_bank_entry"
]
}
}
}Initialize the memory bank in your project
Ask your AI assistant to call initialize_memory_bank. This creates the memory-bank/ directory and standard template files: productContext.md, activeContext.md, progress.md, decisionLog.md, and systemPatterns.md.
Use the memory bank in your workflow
Start each session by asking Claude to check memory bank status and read the relevant context files, then append new decisions or progress notes at the end of each session.
Roo Code Memory Bank Examples
Client configuration
cline_mcp_settings.json or claude_desktop_config.json entry with autoApprove for all four tools.
{
"mcpServers": {
"roo-code-memory-bank-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/Users/yourname/roo-code-memory-bank-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
"env": {},
"disabled": false,
"timeout": 60,
"autoApprove": [
"initialize_memory_bank",
"check_memory_bank_status",
"read_memory_bank_file",
"append_memory_bank_entry"
]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts for working with the memory bank across sessions.
- "Initialize a memory bank for this project"
- "Check the memory bank status and list all stored files"
- "Read the activeContext.md file to remind yourself of what we were working on"
- "Append a decision to decisionLog.md: we chose PostgreSQL over MySQL for its JSON support"
- "Update progress.md with today's completed tasks: implemented user auth, fixed login bug"Troubleshooting Roo Code Memory Bank
Server fails to start with 'Cannot find module' error
The TypeScript source has not been compiled yet. Run `npm run build` inside the repository directory. The args path must point to dist/index.js, not src/index.ts.
initialize_memory_bank fails with permission denied
The server writes files relative to the current working directory when the MCP client launches. Ensure the directory your AI client runs from is writable, or configure the client to launch from your project root.
Memory bank files are created but Claude cannot read them in a new session
The server reads files from its working directory at the time of the tool call. Confirm the MCP client still launches from the same project directory. Explicitly ask Claude to read the files with read_memory_bank_file at the start of each session rather than relying on automatic loading.
Frequently Asked Questions about Roo Code Memory Bank
What is Roo Code Memory Bank?
Roo Code Memory Bank is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables ai assistants to maintain persistent project context across sessions by storing and retrieving structured information in markdown files organized in a memory bank directory. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Roo Code Memory Bank?
Follow the installation instructions on the Roo Code Memory Bank GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Roo Code Memory Bank?
Roo Code Memory Bank works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Roo Code Memory Bank free to use?
Yes, Roo Code Memory Bank is open source and available under the Apache 2.0 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Roo Code Memory Bank Alternatives — Similar Knowledge & Memory Servers
Looking for alternatives to Roo Code Memory Bank? 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 Roo Code Memory Bank 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 Roo Code Memory Bank?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.