Basic Memory MCP Server Extension for Zed Editor: Connecting AI Applications to Persistent Knowledge

Overview: What is Basic Memory MCP Server?

The Basic Memory MCP Server extension connects AI applications like Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This allows these AI tools to access and integrate with persistent knowledge stored in markdown files using Basic Memory. By leveraging MCP, developers can enhance their AI workflows by seamlessly embedding external data sources into their applications.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The Basic Memory MCP Server implements the MCP protocol to enable two-way communication between AI clients and a local or remote context server hosted by Basic Memory. Key features include:

Persistent Knowledge Storage: The extension integrates with Basic Memory, enabling users to store detailed notes, research findings, and other documents in Markdown format locally on their computers.
Natural Language Understanding (NLU): MCP allows AI applications to understand and respond to natural language prompts to retrieve, create, and modify content stored in Basic Memory.
Version Control: Supports versioning for notes and data, ensuring that changes are tracked and can be reverted if needed.

With the introduction of MCP tools support in Zed Editor, this extension significantly enhances the capabilities of AI applications by providing a robust API for accessing contextual information securely. This interoperability is crucial for developers looking to build comprehensive and context-aware AIs.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The Basic Memory MCP Server leverages the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to implement a seamless integration between Zed Editor's Assistant and Basic Memory's persistent knowledge storage system. The architecture can be visualized as follows:

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server - Basic Memory]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool (Markdown Files)]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

Core Components:

MCP Client: Installed in Zed Editor, this client sends and receives requests via the MCP protocol.
MCP Protocol: The standardized communication mechanism used to exchange data between the client and server.
MCP Server (Basic Memory): Serves as the backend for storing and retrieving contextually relevant information.

This architecture ensures that AI applications can access, modify, and use knowledge stored in Basic Memory without any modifications to their internal codebases. The protocol flow is designed to be flexible and modular, allowing for future expansion and extension of supported clients and tools.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

1. Install uv and Basic Memory

To get started, ensure that you have Python 3.12+ installed along with the necessary packages:

pip install uv
uv tool install basic-memory

This step installs both uv (a universal package manager for Zed Editor extensions) and basic-memory, which serves as the context server.

2. Install the Extension

Navigate to Zed > Extensions or use the command palette to search for "extensions". Once installed, configure the Basic Memory MCP Server:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "mcp-server-basic-memory": {
      "settings": {
        "project": "optional-project-name"
      }
    }
  }
}

The project setting is optional. If specified, the project will use the named project for storing and accessing notes; otherwise, it defaults to the initial project configuration.

3. Configure the Extension

Modify your Zed Editor settings by adding the following JSON snippet under "context_servers":

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "basic-memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-basic-memory"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Note Creation and Management:
- Users can create, edit, and search notes using natural language prompts like “Create a note about software architecture patterns.”
- This feature helps developers maintain organized documentation and quick access to knowledge within their projects.
Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration:
- When working with multiple team members, users can share notes securely via the Basic Memory platform.
- Enhanced collaboration capabilities through persistent context-aware notes facilitate better project management and information sharing.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The Basic Memory MCP Server is fully compatible with major MCPC clients, including:

Claude Desktop: Full support for all features such as note creation, editing, and searching.
Continue: Support for data exchange and integration, with some limitations due to its current development stage.
Cursor: Limited compatibility since the tool does not yet support MCP interactions. However, Basic Memory provides a standard interface that can be integrated seamlessly once Cursor adds MCP support.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The following table outlines the current status of MCPC client integration with the Basic Memory MCP Server:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

This matrix helps developers understand the current state of compatibility and plan accordingly for future integrations.

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Security Features:

API Key Protection: The API_KEY environment variable ensures secure access to the Basic Memory context server.
Data Encryption: All data transmitted between the AI application and Basic Memory is encrypted using standard security protocols.

Customization:

Project Settings: Modify settings related to project names, configuration paths, or other parameters in your Zed Editor settings.

Below is an example of advanced configuration code for setting up API keys within the context of MCP servers:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "basic-memory": {
      "settings": {
        "project": "default-project",
        "api_key": "your-safe-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I install the Basic Memory MCP Server extension?

To install, run pip install uv and uv tool install basic-memory. Then navigate to Zed Editor's extensions and add "mcp-server-basic-memory".

Q2: Can I use this extension with different AI applications?

Yes, it is designed to be compatible with other MCPC clients such as Continue and Cursor.

Q3: What is the difference between project settings in Basic Memory?

Projects allow you to organize your knowledge bases for different projects or purposes. Use named projects to separate contexts for various workflows.

Q4: How do I configure API keys securely?

Store your API key using environment variables or secure vaults, especially when running on shared machines.

Q5: How can Basic Memory improve my AI workflow?

Basic Memory provides persistent storage and easy access to contextual information, enhancing the efficiency of data-driven decisions in AI applications.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome! If you're interested in contributing, please review our contribution guidelines for details on how to get involved. Your help can significantly enhance the functionality and usability of Basic Memory as an MCP server.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For more detailed information about MCPC-related projects, explore:

Basic Memory Documentation: Visit https://memory.basicmachines.co/ for in-depth guides.
GitHub Repository (Basic Machines): Access advanced features and updates at https://github.com/basicmachines-co.

By integrating the Basic Memory MCP Server into your AI workflows, you can enhance collaboration, data management, and productivity. This solution provides a robust foundation for developers looking to build sophisticated AI applications with persistent context-aware knowledge integration.

Basic Memory MCP Server Extension for Zed Editor