Claude Code
Claude Code provides native support for Basic Memory through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), enabling persistent context across development sessions and building comprehensive coding knowledge.
Cloud Setup
Sign Up
Create your account at app.basicmemory.com
Add Remote MCP Server
In Claude Code, add the remote MCP server:
claude mcp add -s user -t http basic-memory-cloud https://cloud.basicmemory.com/mcp
Authenticate
Follow the OAuth flow in Claude Code to grant permissions
Verify Setup
In Claude Code, check available tools:
You: "What tools do you have access to?"
You should see Basic Memory tools listed
Local Setup
Configure Claude Code
Install with:
claude mcp add basic-memory basic-memory mcp
Verify Installation
In Claude Code, check that Basic Memory tools are available:
You: "What tools do you have access to?"
You should see Basic Memory tools listed, including note creation, search, and project management.
Quick Start
Once configured, you can immediately start using Basic Memory in your development workflow:
You: "Create a note about our authentication strategy for the API"
Claude: I'll document the authentication strategy we discussed...
[Creates structured note with technical details and rationale]
You: "Switch to my personal coding project"
Claude: [Changes context to personal project knowledge base]
MCP Integration Benefits
Claude Code's native MCP support provides:
- Automatic tool access - No manual setup required
- Project-aware context - Maintains separate knowledge bases per project
- Real-time sync - Changes are immediately available
- Persistent memory - Context survives between sessions
- Structured knowledge - Uses Basic Memory's semantic format
Available Tools
Through MCP, Claude Code can access all Basic Memory functionality:
- write_note - Create and update documentation
- read_note - Access existing knowledge and context
- search_notes - Find relevant information across projects
- edit_note - Update documentation incrementally
- recent_activity - Check what you've been working on
- project management - Switch between different knowledge bases
- build_context - Load conversation context from memory:// URLs
Integration with Development
CLAUDE.md Enhancement
Claude Code uses CLAUDE.md files for project instructions. Basic Memory complements this by:
- Storing detailed knowledge outside the context window
- Enabling search across your entire knowledge base
- Maintaining history of decisions and learnings
- Linking related concepts through relations
Project Context
Basic Memory maintains separate knowledge bases for different projects:
You: "Switch to my work project"
Claude: [Loads work project context and knowledge]
You: "Based on our API design notes, what's the next step?"
Claude: [References existing documentation to provide contextual guidance]
Troubleshooting
Claude Code can't access Basic Memory
Solutions:
- Verify Basic Memory is installed:
basic-memory --version - Check MCP server status:
/mcpin Claude Code - Reinstall if needed:
claude mcp remove basic-memorythenclaude mcp add basic-memory basic-memory mcp
Context not loading from memory:// URLs
Solutions:
- Confirm files exist in current project
- Check memory:// URL syntax (e.g.,
memory://folder/note) - Verify sync is working:
basic-memory status
Notes not updating
Solutions:
- Check file permissions in knowledge base directory
- Check ~/.basic-memory for logs containing error messages
- Report error messages to the Basic Memory team