Everything your AI needs to remember
Plain Markdown files, semantic connections, and a knowledge graph that grows with every conversation. Open source, local-first, works with any AI.
Persistent Knowledge
Every conversation creates structured notes that persist across sessions. Your AI picks up exactly where you left off — decisions, preferences, project context, all there when you need it.
Semantic Connections
Notes connect through [[wiki-links]] and typed relations. Your AI understands how ideas relate to each other, finds patterns across your knowledge, and surfaces context you'd forgotten about.
Works With Every AI
One knowledge base, every AI tool. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, VS Code, Codex, Obsidian — all connected through the Model Context Protocol. Your knowledge travels with you.
Your Data, Your Control
Everything is stored as plain Markdown files. Run locally on your machine, use the cloud, or sync between both. Open in any text editor, version with git, back up however you like. No lock-in.
Semantic Search
Find notes by meaning, not just keywords. Ask for "that conversation about database scaling" and get results even if you never used those exact words.
Multi-Project Support
Keep work, personal, and research knowledge separate. Each project has its own knowledge graph, its own context. Switch between them without mixing concerns.
Import Your History
Bring in your conversations from ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Months of context, imported in minutes. Don't start from scratch.
Schema System
Define structured note types — meetings, decisions, people, whatever fits your workflow. Validate notes against your own conventions and keep your knowledge consistent as it grows.
Fully Open Source
Basic Memory is AGPL-3.0 licensed. Inspect the code, run it yourself, contribute improvements. No black boxes, no proprietary formats, no surprises.
Not all AI memory is created equal
Most AI memory tools are black boxes. Basic Memory is the only one where your knowledge stays human-readable, editable, and yours.
| Feature | ChatGPT Memory | Mem0 | Basic Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| You can read your AI's memory | |||
| You can edit your AI's memory | |||
| Works across LLMs | |||
| Local-first (your machine) | |||
| Open source | |||
| MCP native | |||
| Works with Obsidian / VS Code | |||
| Semantic knowledge graph |
Start Building With Your AI
Try Basic MemoryTry it for 7 days
Your notes stay yours either way. Start building a knowledge base that grows with you.