Quickstart: Cloud
Basic Memory Cloud gives you a hosted MCP endpoint and a web app. Connect your AI assistant and start writing notes in minutes - no installation required.
1. Create an account
Sign up at app.basicmemory.com. You'll need an active subscription to use the MCP endpoint.
2. Connect your AI assistant
Use the remote MCP endpoint URL:
https://cloud.basicmemory.com/mcp
For Claude Desktop
Open Settings
In Claude Desktop or Claude.ai, go to Settings → Claude → Connectors
Add Custom Connector
Click Add custom connector and enter:
- Name: Basic Memory
- Remote MCP server URL:
https://cloud.basicmemory.com/mcp
Authenticate
Click Connect to start the OAuth flow. You'll be redirected to Basic Memory to authorize access.
Configure Tools (Optional)
Click Configure to customize which tools are enabled.
Verify Setup
Confirm Basic Memory appears in the tools menu (+ icon in chat).
For ChatGPT
Enable MCP
Open Settings → Beta features and enable MCP
Add Endpoint
Add the Basic Memory endpoint URL: https://cloud.basicmemory.com/mcp
Authenticate
Complete the OAuth flow when prompted
For other assistants
See the Integrations section for setup guides for:
3. Verify the connection
Ask your assistant:
List my basic memory projects
Expected response:
You have 1 project:
- main (default) - /app/data/basic-memory - 0 notes
4. Create your first note
Try this prompt:
Create a note called "Getting Started" with a summary of what Basic Memory does.
Your assistant will use the write_note tool to create a Markdown file in your cloud storage.
Example conversation:
You: Create a note called "Getting Started" with a summary of what Basic Memory does.
AI: I'll create a note summarizing Basic Memory for you.
[Uses write_note tool]
I've created "Getting Started" in your knowledge base. The note covers:
- What Basic Memory is
- How the knowledge format works
- Key features like semantic search and relations
5. View your notes
Open app.basicmemory.com/notes to see your new note.
What you can do in the web app:
- Browse all your notes in the folder tree
- Edit notes with the live Markdown editor
- Search across your knowledge base
- Import existing data from Claude, ChatGPT, or files
- Manage multiple projects
- Create snapshots for backup
What you can do now
Try these prompts with your assistant:
| Prompt | What it does |
|---|---|
Create a note about [topic] | Creates a new note with semantic structure |
What have we discussed recently? | Shows recently modified notes |
Find notes about [topic] | Searches your knowledge base |
Continue our conversation about [topic] | Loads context from previous notes |
Add to my notes about [topic] | Edits an existing note |
Show me my notes on [topic] | Displays a formatted note |
Example workflow
You: "I've been researching coffee brewing methods. Create a note about pour-over technique."
AI: [Creates note with observations and tags]
--- Later ---
You: "What do I know about coffee brewing?"
Claude: [Searches knowledge base, finds your pour-over note]
"Based on your notes, you've been exploring pour-over techniques..."
You: "Add a section about water temperature to my coffee notes"
Claude: [Uses edit_note to append new content]