doobidoo/mcp-memory-service
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An MCP server providing semantic memory and persistent storage capabilities for Claude Desktop using ChromaDB and sentence transformers.
MCP Memory Service
Universal MCP memory service with intelligent memory triggers, OAuth 2.1 team collaboration, and semantic memory search for AI assistants. Features Natural Memory Triggers v7.1.0 with 85%+ trigger accuracy, Claude Code HTTP transport, zero-configuration authentication, and enterprise security. Works with Claude Desktop, VS Code, Cursor, Continue, and 13+ AI applications with SQLite-vec for fast local search and Cloudflare for global distribution.
🚀 Quick Start (2 minutes)
🧠 v7.1.0: Natural Memory Triggers for Claude Code
🤖 Intelligent Memory Awareness (Zero Configuration):
# 1. Install MCP Memory Service
git clone https://github.com/doobidoo/mcp-memory-service.git
cd mcp-memory-service && python install.py
# 2. Install Natural Memory Triggers
cd claude-hooks && python install_hooks.py --natural-triggers
# 3. Test intelligent triggers
node memory-mode-controller.js status
# ✅ Done! Claude Code now automatically detects when you need memory context
📖 Complete Guide: Natural Memory Triggers v7.1.0
🆕 v7.0.0: OAuth 2.1 & Claude Code HTTP Transport
🔗 Claude Code Team Collaboration (Zero Configuration):
# 1. Start OAuth-enabled server
export MCP_OAUTH_ENABLED=true
uv run memory server --http
# 2. Add HTTP transport to Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport http memory-service http://localhost:8000/mcp
# ✅ Done! Claude Code automatically handles OAuth registration and team collaboration
📖 Complete Setup Guide: OAuth 2.1 Setup Guide
Traditional Setup Options
Universal Installer (Most Compatible):
# Clone and install with automatic platform detection
git clone https://github.com/doobidoo/mcp-memory-service.git
cd mcp-memory-service
# Lightweight installation (SQLite-vec with ONNX embeddings - recommended)
python install.py
# Add full ML capabilities (torch + sentence-transformers for advanced features)
python install.py --with-ml
# Add ChromaDB backend support (includes full ML stack - for multi-client setups)
python install.py --with-chromadb
📝 Installation Options Explained:
- Default (recommended): Lightweight SQLite-vec with ONNX embeddings - fast, works offline, <100MB dependencies
--with-ml
: Adds PyTorch + sentence-transformers for advanced ML features - heavier but more capable--with-chromadb
: Multi-client local server support - use only if you need shared team access
Docker (Fastest):
# For MCP protocol (Claude Desktop)
docker-compose up -d
# For HTTP API + OAuth (Team Collaboration)
docker-compose -f docker-compose.http.yml up -d
Smithery (Claude Desktop):
# Auto-install for Claude Desktop
npx -y @smithery/cli install @doobidoo/mcp-memory-service --client claude
⚠️ v6.17.0+ Script Migration Notice
Updating from an older version? Scripts have been reorganized for better maintainability:
- Recommended: Use
python -m mcp_memory_service.server
in your Claude Desktop config (no path dependencies!) - Alternative 1: Use
uv run memory server
with UV tooling - Alternative 2: Update path from
scripts/run_memory_server.py
toscripts/server/run_memory_server.py
- Backward compatible: Old path still works with a migration notice
⚠️ First-Time Setup Expectations
On your first run, you'll see some warnings that are completely normal:
- "WARNING: Failed to load from cache: No snapshots directory" - The service is checking for cached models (first-time setup)
- "WARNING: Using TRANSFORMERS_CACHE is deprecated" - Informational warning, doesn't affect functionality
- Model download in progress - The service automatically downloads a ~25MB embedding model (takes 1-2 minutes)
These warnings disappear after the first successful run. The service is working correctly! For details, see our .
🐍 Python 3.13 Compatibility Note
sqlite-vec may not have pre-built wheels for Python 3.13 yet. If installation fails:
- The installer will automatically try multiple installation methods
- Consider using Python 3.12 for the smoothest experience:
brew install python@3.12
- Alternative: Use ChromaDB backend with
--storage-backend chromadb --with-chromadb
- See for details
🍎 macOS SQLite Extension Support
macOS users may encounter enable_load_extension
errors with sqlite-vec:
- System Python on macOS lacks SQLite extension support by default
- Solution: Use Homebrew Python:
brew install python && rehash
- Alternative: Use pyenv:
PYTHON_CONFIGURE_OPTS='--enable-loadable-sqlite-extensions' pyenv install 3.12.0
- Fallback: Use sqlite_vec backend (default) or install ChromaDB with
--with-chromadb
- See for details
📚 Complete Documentation
👉 Visit our comprehensive Wiki for detailed guides:
🧠 v7.1.0 Natural Memory Triggers (Latest)
- Natural Memory Triggers v7.1.0 Guide - Intelligent automatic memory awareness
- ✅ 85%+ trigger accuracy with semantic pattern detection
- ✅ Multi-tier performance (50ms instant → 150ms fast → 500ms intensive)
- ✅ CLI management system for real-time configuration
- ✅ Git-aware context integration for enhanced relevance
- ✅ Zero-restart installation with dynamic hook loading
🆕 v7.0.0 OAuth & Team Collaboration
- 🔐 OAuth 2.1 Setup Guide - NEW! Complete OAuth 2.1 Dynamic Client Registration guide
- 🔗 Integration Guide - Claude Desktop, Claude Code HTTP transport, VS Code, and more
- 🛡️ Advanced Configuration - Updated! OAuth security, enterprise features
🚀 Setup & Installation
- 📋 Installation Guide - Complete installation for all platforms and use cases
- 🖥️ Platform Setup Guide - Windows, macOS, and Linux optimizations
- ⚡ Performance Optimization - Speed up queries, optimize resources, scaling
🧠 Advanced Topics
- 👨💻 Development Reference - Claude Code hooks, API reference, debugging
- 🔧 Troubleshooting Guide - Updated! OAuth troubleshooting + common issues
- ❓ FAQ - Frequently asked questions
- 📝 Examples - Practical code examples and workflows
📂 Internal Documentation
- - Search enhancement specifications and design documents
- - AI agent instructions, release checklist, refactoring notes
- - Docker, dual-service, and production deployment
- - Storage backends, migration, mDNS discovery
✨ Key Features
🔐 Enterprise Authentication & Team Collaboration 🆕
- OAuth 2.1 Dynamic Client Registration - RFC 7591 & RFC 8414 compliant
- Claude Code HTTP Transport - Zero-configuration team collaboration
- JWT Authentication - Enterprise-grade security with scope validation
- Auto-Discovery Endpoints - Seamless client registration and authorization
- Multi-Auth Support - OAuth + API keys + optional anonymous access
🧠 Intelligent Memory Management
- Semantic search with vector embeddings
- Natural language time queries ("yesterday", "last week")
- Tag-based organization with smart categorization
- Memory consolidation with dream-inspired algorithms
🔗 Universal Compatibility
- Claude Desktop - Native MCP integration
- Claude Code - HTTP transport + Memory-aware development with hooks
- VS Code, Cursor, Continue - IDE extensions
- 13+ AI applications - REST API compatibility
💾 Flexible Storage
- SQLite-vec - Fast local storage (recommended, lightweight ONNX embeddings)
- ChromaDB - Multi-client collaboration (optional, heavy dependencies)
- Cloudflare - Global edge distribution
- Automatic backups and synchronization
Note: All heavy ML dependencies (PyTorch, sentence-transformers, ChromaDB) are now optional to dramatically reduce build times and image sizes. SQLite-vec uses lightweight ONNX embeddings by default. Install with
--with-ml
for full ML capabilities or--with-chromadb
for multi-client features.
🚀 Production Ready
- Cross-platform - Windows, macOS, Linux
- Service installation - Auto-start background operation
- HTTPS/SSL - Secure connections with OAuth 2.1
- Docker support - Easy deployment with team collaboration
💡 Basic Usage
🔗 Team Collaboration with OAuth (v7.0.0+)
# Start OAuth-enabled server for team collaboration
export MCP_OAUTH_ENABLED=true
uv run memory server --http
# Claude Code team members connect via HTTP transport
claude mcp add --transport http memory-service http://your-server:8000/mcp
# → Automatic OAuth discovery, registration, and authentication
🧠 Memory Operations
# Store a memory
uv run memory store "Fixed race condition in authentication by adding mutex locks"
# Search for relevant memories
uv run memory recall "authentication race condition"
# Search by tags
uv run memory search --tags python debugging
# Check system health (shows OAuth status)
uv run memory health
🔧 Configuration
Claude Desktop Integration
Recommended approach - Add to your Claude Desktop config (~/.claude/config.json
):
{
"mcpServers": {
"memory": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["-m", "mcp_memory_service.server"],
"env": {
"MCP_MEMORY_STORAGE_BACKEND": "sqlite_vec"
}
}
}
}
Alternative approaches:
// Option 1: UV tooling (if using UV)
{
"mcpServers": {
"memory": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["--directory", "/path/to/mcp-memory-service", "run", "memory", "server"],
"env": {
"MCP_MEMORY_STORAGE_BACKEND": "sqlite_vec"
}
}
}
}
// Option 2: Direct script path (v6.17.0+)
{
"mcpServers": {
"memory": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["/path/to/mcp-memory-service/scripts/server/run_memory_server.py"],
"env": {
"MCP_MEMORY_STORAGE_BACKEND": "sqlite_vec"
}
}
}
}
Environment Variables
# Storage backend (sqlite_vec recommended)
export MCP_MEMORY_STORAGE_BACKEND=sqlite_vec
# Enable HTTP API
export MCP_HTTP_ENABLED=true
export MCP_HTTP_PORT=8000
# Security
export MCP_API_KEY="your-secure-key"
🏗️ Architecture
┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
│ AI Clients │ │ MCP Memory │ │ Storage Backend │
│ │ │ Service v7.0 │ │ │
│ • Claude Desktop│◄──►│ • MCP Protocol │◄──►│ • SQLite-vec │
│ • Claude Code │ │ • HTTP Transport│ │ • ChromaDB │
│ (HTTP/OAuth) │ │ • OAuth 2.1 Auth│ │ • Cloudflare │
│ • VS Code │ │ • Memory Store │ │ • Hybrid │
│ • Cursor │ │ • Semantic │ │ │
│ • 13+ AI Apps │ │ Search │ │ │
└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
🛠️ Development
Project Structure
mcp-memory-service/
├── src/mcp_memory_service/ # Core application
│ ├── models/ # Data models
│ ├── storage/ # Storage backends
│ ├── web/ # HTTP API & dashboard
│ └── server.py # MCP server
├── scripts/ # Utilities & installation
├── tests/ # Test suite
└── tools/docker/ # Docker configuration
Contributing
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch
- Make your changes with tests
- Submit a pull request
See for detailed guidelines.
🆘 Support
- 📖 Documentation: Wiki - Comprehensive guides
- 🐛 Bug Reports: GitHub Issues
- 💬 Discussions: GitHub Discussions
- 🔧 Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting Guide
- ✅ Configuration Validator: Run
python scripts/validation/validate_configuration_complete.py
to check your setup - 🔄 Backend Sync Tools: See for Cloudflare↔SQLite sync
📊 In Production
Real-world metrics from active deployments:
- 750+ memories stored and actively used across teams
- <500ms response time for semantic search (local & HTTP transport)
- 65% token reduction in Claude Code sessions with OAuth collaboration
- 96.7% faster context setup (15min → 30sec)
- 100% knowledge retention across sessions and team members
- Zero-configuration OAuth setup success rate: 98.5%
🏆 Recognition
Verified MCP Server
Featured AI Tool
- Production-tested across 13+ AI applications
- Community-driven with real-world feedback and improvements
📄 License
Apache License 2.0 - see for details.
Ready to supercharge your AI workflow? 🚀
👉 Start with our Installation Guide or explore the Wiki for comprehensive documentation.
Transform your AI conversations into persistent, searchable knowledge that grows with you.