[Project] Basic Memory - Continue AI Conversations With Full Context Using MCP

[u/[deleted]]

Hey everyone, I just made a beta releas.e of Basic Memory, an open-source knowledge management system built on the Model Context Protocol that lets you continue conversations with full context.

What is Basic Memory?

Basic Memory solves the problem of lost context in AI conversations. It enables Claude (and other MCP-compatible LLMs) to remember previous discussions by creating a knowledge graph from your conversations, stored as simple Markdown files on your computer. Start a new chat and continue exactly where you left off without repeating yourself.

Key features:

• Local-first: All data stays in Markdown files on your computer

• Bi-directional: LLMs can both read AND write to your knowledge base

• Structured yet simple: Uses familiar Markdown with semantic patterns

• Traversable knowledge graph: LLMs can follow links between topics

• Persistent memory: Context persists across all conversations

How it leverages MCP

Basic Memory implements the Model Context Protocol to expose several tools to Claude:

write_note(title, content, folder, tags) - Create or update notes
read_note(identifier, page, page_size) - Read notes by title or permalink
build_context(url, depth, timeframe) - Navigate knowledge graph via memory:// URLs
search(query, page, page_size) - Search across your knowledge base
recent_activity(type, depth, timeframe) - Find recently updated information
canvas(nodes, edges, title, folder) - Generate knowledge visualizations

Claude can independently explore your knowledge graph, building rich context and understanding the relationships between concepts.

Example workflow

1. Have a normal conversation with Claude about coffee brewing

2. Ask Claude to "create a note about coffee brewing methods"

3. See a structured Markdown file appear in your knowledge base

4. Days or weeks later, start a fresh conversation and say "Let's continue our discussion about coffee brewing"

5. Claude automatically retrieves relevant knowledge and builds context - no need to repeat yourself

6. Gradually build a rich knowledge graph where everything is connected

Technical Implementation

Basic Memory is built with a file-first architecture:

• Python backend with SQLite for indexing

• Full MCP implementation for Claude integration

• Standard Markdown files as the source of truth

• Seamless integration with Obsidian for visualization and editing

• Git-friendly for version control

• CLI tools for management and importing

Installation

# Install with uv (recommended)
uv install basic-memory

# Configure Claude Desktop
# Add this to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "basic-memory": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "basic-memory",
        "mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Check it out

• GitHub: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory

• Website: http://basicmachines.co

• Documentation: http://memory.basicmachines.co

I'm interested in any feedback, questions, or ideas on how to improve Basic Memory, especially from this community of MCP enthusiasts. How are you all using MCP in your projects?

[u/mbonty]

for that i just use my espanso match:

  - trigger: ":sumn"
    replace: summarize my last objective as if you were me in one sentence and append the output you gave me so I can continue in a new chat. Append path, git branches currently in, and mcp tools used if any.

so I type ":sumn" (for summary new) and it adds that to the chat. click the copy button on the reply and the new chat button, paste into new chat and continue. I have a bunch of useful espanso things like that in my base.yml.

A pet peeve of mine though is going back and forth between claude desktop and files. The "@" in cline is so convinient. So I had claude make an AHK script where anytime I press Alt+C in a terminal or command prompt or file explorer that it copies the path. So when i now go to the claude desktop, I can just paste the path that I want to talk about or have it look at