MCP server · Memory + knowledge
Basic Memory MCP
Give agents durable local memory in plain Markdown, with search, graph traversal and explicit note creation, editing and deletion.
Quick verdict
One of the clearest local-first MCP memory options, with unusually strong portability, but it deserves a local-execution warning because its value comes from real host-file writes.
- MaintainerBasic Machines (official)
- Security scopeRead-write
- Transportsstdio, streamable-http, sse
- Install channelpypi · basic-memory
- EvidenceSource Validated
- LicenseAGPL-3.0 · Open source
Basic Memory is a local-first knowledge system that lets MCP-capable assistants search and traverse a Markdown knowledge graph, then create, edit, move and delete notes. The proposed setup runs locally over stdio with no account and stores inspectable files on disk; cloud routing remains an optional separate choice.
Install Basic Memory MCP
uvx basic-memory mcp
{
"mcpServers": {
"basic-memory": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["basic-memory", "mcp"],
"env": {
"BASIC_MEMORY_NO_PROMOS": "1"
}
}
}
}Runs with uvx (uv). Defaults to the user's Basic Memory project state (default local notes path ~/basic-memory), so installation alone does not prove the selected project is isolated or backed up. Basic Memory Cloud is a separate, optional paid product.
Credentials
| Name | Required | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
BASIC_MEMORY_NO_PROMOS | Required | Non-secret privacy setting. `1` disables the documented cloud promos and associated minimal telemetry in the local starter configuration. |
Verified configurations
Not run by us yet. This profile is Source Validated: the install channel, config entry, credentials and license were checked against the source and upstream metadata, but no configuration has been installed, discovered and executed in a recorded environment. When one is, it appears here with the eight scope dimensions below.
Best for
People who want durable, portable agent memory that they can inspect and edit directly as Markdown instead of locking it inside one chat product.
Why use it
It gives multiple assistants a shared, human-readable knowledge base with explicit search and graph tools while keeping the default deployment offline and user-controlled.
Tradeoffs
The server can mutate and delete real local notes, and an incorrectly chosen project path widens that blast radius. Its local index and sync behavior add operational state beyond the Markdown files. Use a dedicated folder, backups or version control, and client approval for destructive tools; cloud routing adds credentials, network transfer and subscription cost.
Upstream state
pypi package published · repository active · in the official MCP Registry (active). Lifecycle is derived from a committed upstream snapshot at build time, never authored by hand.
Official MCP Registry name: io.github.basicmachines-co/basic-memory
Editorial review
Grade B — Source Validated. Re-review is due by 2027-02-18. Config entries, credential names and package status can change upstream; verify against the source repository before granting an agent access.
Sources
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