> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://memory.basicmachines.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Basic Memory

> AI and humans working together to build knowledge that gets smarter over time

Basic Memory transforms how you work with AI - instead of losing valuable insights in conversation history, you build a persistent knowledge base where both you and AI can read, write, and enhance each other's work.

![hero](https://mintcdn.com/basicmachines/o-7gfHyHm-1OBf90/attachments/hero.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=o-7gfHyHm-1OBf90\&q=85\&s=58d1612f7535f6e4b2a4ea583395d204)

## True AI Collaboration

Unlike typical AI tools where you ask questions and get answers, Basic Memory creates **genuine collaboration**:

* **You capture ideas quickly** → **AI structures and enhances them**
* **AI creates comprehensive research** → **You add personal insights and connections**
* **Both build on each other's work** → **Knowledge grows smarter over time**
* **Your notes are local** → **Edit and update notes and changes are synced**

Every note becomes part of a **semantic knowledge graph** that reveals connections you never would have seen otherwise.

## Pick up conversations exactly where you left off

No more "Can you remind me what we discussed?" or "Here's what I learned before..." - AI assistants access your **entire knowledge history** instantly.

```
You: "Continue our discussion about the database architecture"

AI: [Loads relevant context from your knowledge base]
"Based on our previous conversations and your notes about performance requirements, 
I see we were exploring PostgreSQL vs. MongoDB. Looking at your updated benchmarking 
results from last week..."
```

## Knowledge that compounds

Basic Memory doesn't just save chat snippets - AI creates **comprehensive, detailed notes** that connect to everything you've learned before:

### Beyond Chat Summaries

* **2,000+ word research documents** instead of brief summaries
* **Technical deep-dives** that build on previous architecture decisions
* **Creative project notes** that track character development and plot evolution
* **Personal reflections** that reveal life patterns and growth over time

### Semantic Connections

Every piece of knowledge is semantically tagged and related:

```markdown theme={null}
## Neural Networks Research
- [breakthrough] Transformer architecture revolutionized NLP #architecture
- [application] Enables large language models like GPT and Claude #llm
- [limitation] Computational requirements limit accessibility #resource-constraint

## Relations
- builds_on [[Artificial Intelligence History]]
- enables [[Modern AI Applications]]  
- influences [[AI Ethics Considerations]]
```

The knowledge graph **automatically suggests connections** across domains - your AI research might connect to philosophy notes, which link to creative writing projects.

## Your Knowledge, Your Control

> [card] Local-first storage
>
> All knowledge lives on your computer in plain Markdown files

> [card] Standard file formats
>
> Compatible with any editor, future-proof and portable

> [card] Real-time collaboration
>
> You and AI work together, seeing each other's changes instantly

> [card] Version control ready
>
> Use git for history, branching, and team collaboration

## Versatile Knowledge Building

Basic Memory adapts to how **you** think and work:

> [card] [Code Projects](https://memory.basicmachines.co/how-to/project-documentation.md)
>
> Living documentation that evolves with your codebase

> [card] [Creative Writing](https://memory.basicmachines.co/how-to/writing-organization.md)
>
> Track characters, plots, and research for novels and screenplays

> [card] [Research & Learning](https://memory.basicmachines.co/how-to/research-learning.md)
>
> Build comprehensive knowledge from papers, books, and courses

> [card] [Personal Growth](https://memory.basicmachines.co/how-to/personal-knowledge.md)
>
> Connect goals, relationships, and life experiences

## Real-Time Knowledge Flow

**Morning research session:**

```
You: "Research quantum computing applications in cryptography"
AI: [Creates detailed 3,000-word analysis with technical details, 
     current research, and connections to your existing crypto notes]
```

**Afternoon development work:**

```
You: "Document the authentication system we just built"
AI: [Reads your code, connects to security best practices from your 
     knowledge base, creates comprehensive API documentation]
```

**Evening reflection:**

```
You: "Add today's insights to my learning journal"  
AI: [Reviews day's knowledge creation, identifies patterns,
     connects to personal growth goals and career development]
```

Each interaction **builds on everything before it** - creating knowledge that gets more valuable over time.

## Designed for Collaboration

Basic Memory implements the **Model Context Protocol (MCP)**, enabling direct integration with AI assistants. This isn't just file sharing - it's real-time collaborative access where both you and AI can read, write, search, and manage your knowledge base through natural conversation.

### AI Integration

* **Claude Desktop** - View, edit, and manage your notes directly through chat. Ask Claude to create notes, search your knowledge, or display notes as formatted artifacts
* **Claude Code** - Persistent context across development sessions with full MCP tool access
* **Cursor** - AI-powered coding with project memory and native MCP support
* **VS Code** - Code editing with real-time sync to knowledge graph

### Human-Friendly

* **Plain Markdown files** you can edit in any text editor
* **Folder organization** that matches how you think
* **Git compatibility** for version control and team sharing
* **Search and discovery** across your entire knowledge base

## Get Started

> [card] [Quick Setup](https://memory.basicmachines.co/getting-started.md)
>
> Install and configure with your favorite AI assistant

> [card] [How to Use](https://memory.basicmachines.co/user-guide.md)
>
> Complete guide to building your knowledge system

> [card] [Integration Guides](https://memory.basicmachines.co/integrations/claude-desktop.md)
>
> Set up with Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, and more

> [card] [Knowledge Format](https://memory.basicmachines.co/guides/knowledge-format.md)
>
> Learn the semantic patterns that make knowledge searchable

***

**Basic Memory**: Where AI and human intelligence combine to create knowledge that's greater than the sum of its parts.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.