This guide is specifically designed to help AI assistants like Cline install and configure Basic Memory. Follow these steps in order.
Use one of the following package managers to install:
# Install with uv (recommended)
uv tool install basic-memory
# Or with pip
pip install basic-memoryAdd the following to your config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"basic-memory": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"basic-memory",
"mcp"
]
}
}
}For Claude Desktop, this file is located at:
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
To synchronize files in real-time, run:
basic-memory sync --watchOr for a one-time sync:
basic-memory syncBasic Memory supports automatic updates by default for uv tool and Homebrew installs.
For manual checks and upgrades:
# Check now and install if supported
bm update
# Check only, do not install
bm update --checkTo disable automatic updates, set "auto_update": false in ~/.basic-memory/config.json.
To use a directory other than the default ~/basic-memory:
basic-memory project add custom-project /path/to/your/directory
basic-memory project default custom-projectTo manage multiple knowledge bases:
# List all projects
basic-memory project list
# Add a new project
basic-memory project add work ~/work-basic-memory
# Set default project
basic-memory project default workbasic-memory import claude conversations path/to/conversations.json
basic-memory import claude projects path/to/projects.jsonbasic-memory import chatgpt path/to/conversations.jsonbasic-memory import memory-json path/to/memory.jsonIf you encounter issues:
-
Check that Basic Memory is properly installed:
basic-memory --version
-
Verify the sync process is running:
ps aux | grep basic-memory -
Check sync output for errors:
basic-memory sync --verbose
-
Check log output:
cat ~/.basic-memory/basic-memory.log
For more detailed information, refer to the full documentation.