Add Persistent Memory to Cursor — Context That Survives Sessions

Cursor's built-in memories store short preference strings. Basic Memory gives it a full knowledge base — searchable notes with semantic connections that persist across every session and grow with your project.

Cloud Setup

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "basic-memory-cloud": {
      "url": "https://cloud.basicmemory.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Local Setup

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "basic-memory": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["basic-memory", "mcp"]
    }
  }
}

# With uv
uv tool install basic-memory

# Or with pip
pip install basic-memory

Try It

Once configured, try these prompts in Cursor:

"Create a note documenting our API authentication approach and link it to the user-auth module."

"Search my notes for anything related to database migration strategy."

"What have I been working on this week? Check recent activity."

For the full list of available tools, see the MCP Tools Reference.

Troubleshooting

MCP tools not appearing — Verify Basic Memory is installed (basic-memory --version), check your JSON config syntax, and restart Cursor. Try an absolute path to uvx if needed.

Tools appear but don't work — Run basic-memory status to check sync. Verify project directory permissions and that which basic-memory resolves.

Cloud connection issues — See the Cloud Setup Guide for OAuth troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cursor have memory?

Cursor has a built-in "Memories" feature for storing short preferences, but it is limited to simple rules. Basic Memory provides full knowledge management — searchable notes, semantic connections, and rich context that grows with your project.

Can I use Basic Memory and Cursor's built-in memories together?

Yes. Cursor's built-in memories handle quick preferences and rules. Basic Memory handles everything deeper — architecture decisions, project history, detailed technical context, and cross-session knowledge.

Next Steps