Terms of Service
Last updated: June 2025
Simple Terms
We believe in keeping things simple and clear. These terms govern your use of Basic Memory software and this website.
What Basic Memory Is
Basic Memory is open-source software that runs locally on your machine to help you manage knowledge with AI assistants. It’s designed to be:
- Local-first - Your data stays on your device
- Open source - Available on GitHub under open licenses
- Privacy-focused - We can’t see your data because it never leaves your machine
Using Basic Memory
The Software
- Basic Memory is free to download and use
- It’s distributed under open source licenses (see our GitHub repository)
- You can modify and distribute it according to those licenses
- No registration or account required for the core software
This Website
- You can browse our marketing site and documentation freely
- We may collect basic analytics (see Privacy Policy)
- No account creation required
What We Don’t Do
- We don’t collect your knowledge data - It stays on your machine
- We don’t sell your information - We can’t, because we don’t have it
- We don’t require accounts - Use the software without signing up
- We don’t lock you in - Your data is in standard markdown files
Cloud Features (When Available)
If you choose to use our optional cloud sync features in the future:
- Encrypted sync only - We can’t read your data even in the cloud
- You control your data - Delete it anytime
- Optional service - Keep using locally if you prefer
Your Responsibilities
- Use Basic Memory responsibly and legally
- Don’t use it to store or process illegal content
- Respect others when sharing knowledge or participating in community spaces
- Keep your software updated for best security
Intellectual Property
- Basic Memory software is open source (see repository licenses)
- You retain all rights to your knowledge data
- This website content is owned by Basic Machines
- Our trademarks and branding remain our property
Disclaimers
Basic Memory is provided “as-is” without warranties. While we work hard to make it reliable:
- Software may have bugs or limitations
- We’re not liable for data loss (though your files stay local!)
- Use appropriate backups for important information
- We don’t guarantee uptime for optional cloud services
Changes
We may update these terms occasionally. We’ll post changes here and note the update date above.
Governing Law
These terms are governed by California law, where Basic Machines is located.
Contact
Questions about these terms? Contact us at:
Email: contact@basicmachines.co
GitHub: https://github.com/basic-memory/basic-memory
At Basic Machines, we believe in local-first tools that respect your privacy and give you control over your data.