---
title: How it works
type: workflow
steps: [write, connect, reuse]
---
How Basic Memory works.
A workspace your AI can actually think in.
Your AI writes, reads, and reuses what matters — your notes, prompts, and instructions. All in plain text.
Notes and Projects
A workspace your AI can actually think in
Every idea becomes a note. Every note lives inside a project. You can organize your work in as many projects as you like, or keep everything in one.
Either way, your AI knows how to find and use what's there. Every time a note is created, edited, or referenced, Basic Memory keeps track.
That's how context builds organically, not by configuration.
Knowledge Graph
A map of how you think, in plain text
Every note you write, and every link between them, becomes part of a semantic graph. That graph isn't something you have to manage—it grows with use, as your AI links related ideas and draws new connections.
Your AI can recall patterns, follow threads, and summarize related work without you having to re-prompt.
Ask: "Summarize what we decided in our last three planning notes." It finds the notes, understands what connects them, and shows you what matters.
Launchable Workflows
Notes that act, not just sit there
Anything you write can double as a launcher: a reusable prompt, a persona, an instruction set, or a workflow outline.
When you say, "Launch my Writing Prep persona," your AI reads that note and gets to work. You can edit it anytime.
It's a live document, not a locked preset. Everything in Basic Memory is written in Markdown. No databases you can't open, no awkward formats.
Your knowledge stays portable, editable, and future-proof.
Your Data, Your Control
Built to last, simple to understand
Your notes are your data. They belong to you. You can back them up locally, version them, or move them anywhere.
Basic Memory connects to your ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini accounts. No API key setup, no extra billing surprises.
Built on Markdown + YAML frontmatter, Python + FastAPI, SQLite storage, and native MCP integration.
It's your workspace, your models, your memory.
One Knowledge Base
Every AI You Use
Your conversation context travels with you across Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Desktop, terminal, mobile, web.
ChatGPT accessing your knowledge
ChatGPT can find projects read and write notes
Claude viewing your notes
Full context available in every conversation
Mobile access anywhere
Edit notes and access your knowledge on the go with Claude mobile
Voice mode with your knowledge
Use voice interface with full access to your memory graph
Claude, ChatGPT, and me
Your knowledge accessible from any interface
Codex, Claude Code, and Gemini CLI
Plus VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and more
Works with any tool that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
## Open by default
Works with your favorite tools.
Basic Memory integrates with any AI platform or tool that supports the Model Context Protocol. Your knowledge follows you everywhere.
Claude Code
DevelopmentPersistent context across development sessions with Anthropic's CLI.
Learn more →OpenAI Codex
DevelopmentPersistent context for OpenAI's coding agent, across every session.
Learn more →Cursor
DevelopmentAI-powered coding with persistent project memory and context.
Learn more →VS Code
DevelopmentAccess your knowledge base directly in VS Code with MCP support.
Learn more →Obsidian
Knowledge ManagementNative markdown file compatibility. Edit in Obsidian, use with AI.
Learn more →Claude Desktop
AI AssistantsDirect MCP integration for seamless knowledge access in Claude conversations.
ChatGPT
AI AssistantsUse Basic Memory Cloud to give ChatGPT persistent, structured memory.
Gemini
AI AssistantsGoogle's AI with access to your Basic Memory knowledge base.
Local LLMs
AI AssistantsWorks with any MCP-compatible local language model.
Built on the Model Context Protocol - an open standard for AI-tool integration
Any tool that supports MCP can use Basic Memory. Future integrations work automatically.
## Get started
Start building with your AI.
Try it for 7 days. Your notes stay yours either way — start building a knowledge base that grows with you.
