Engram

A local memory layer for AI coding tools

Stop re-explaining yourself every time you switch tools, projects, or sessions.

Claude Code | Codex | Cursor | MCP compatible | 100% local

English | 中文

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AI coding tools are powerful, but they do not really know you.

Every time you switch from Claude Code to Codex, open Cursor, start a new session, or move into a different project, you often have to explain the same things again:

• how you prefer to communicate
• how the AI should approach code
• which project rules matter
• which mistakes should not happen again
• why earlier decisions were made

Engram stores that collaboration memory as local files, then exposes it through MCP so different AI tools can read the same user context.

The goal is simple: make every compatible AI tool start from the same understanding of you.

Why Engram?

Without Engram	With Engram
Every new session starts from zero	AI tools can load your identity and preferences
Switching tools loses accumulated context	Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor can read the same memory
Project rules live in scattered prompts	Rules and decisions are stored as local assets
Past mistakes get repeated	Lessons learned can follow you across tools
Memory is locked inside one product	Data stays local, editable, and portable

Engram is not another chat app, agent framework, or hosted memory service. It is a small local memory layer that sits underneath the tools you already use.

What It Stores

Engram can store:

• identity and communication preferences
• coding style and quality standards
• trust boundaries for AI tools
• project snapshots
• lessons learned
• key technical or product decisions
• domain knowledge that should be reused later

All data is stored under ~/.engram/ as JSON and Markdown files. You can open, edit, back up, or migrate it yourself.

Quick Start

git clone https://github.com/Patdolitse/engram.git
cd engram
pip install -e .
python demos/setup_engram.py

Then configure Engram as an MCP server in your AI coding tool.

Example MCP config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "engram": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/engram/src/engram_core/mcp_server.py"]
    }
  }
}

After restarting your MCP-compatible client, a new session can call get_user_context to understand your profile, preferences, lessons, and project context.

MCP Tools

Engram exposes read, write, project, backup, and compatibility tools through MCP.

Common tools include:

Tool	Purpose
get_user_context	Load the complete user context at the start of a session
get_identity_card	Export a Markdown identity card for tools without MCP
get_profile	Read the user profile
get_preferences	Read communication and workflow preferences
get_trust_boundaries	Read data access boundaries
get_quality_standards	Read quality expectations
get_lessons	Read reusable lessons learned
get_decisions	Read key decisions and reasons
get_relevant_knowledge	Find knowledge relevant to a project
save_project_snapshot	Save project context for later sessions
add_lesson	Add a lesson learned
add_decision	Add a key decision
export_engram	Export a full backup
import_engram	Import a backup
export_engram_to_openclaw	Export OpenClaw-compatible files
import_engram_from_openclaw	Import OpenClaw-compatible files

Data Layout

~/.engram/
|-- schema_version.json
|-- identity/
|   |-- profile.json
|   |-- preferences.json
|   |-- quality_standards.json
|   `-- trust_boundaries.json
|-- knowledge/
|   |-- lessons.json
|   |-- decisions.json
|   `-- domains.json
|-- projects/
|   `-- {project_id}.json
|-- exports/
`-- compat/
    `-- openclaw/

Supported Tools

Tool	Integration	Status
Claude Code	MCP over stdio	Tested
Codex	MCP over stdio	Tested
Cursor	MCP over stdio	Expected to work
Claude Desktop	MCP over stdio	Expected to work
OpenClaw	SOUL.md / MEMORY.md / USER.md import and export	Tested
ChatGPT / Gemini / Kimi	Markdown identity card fallback	Usable

Comparison

Feature	Engram	Claude Memory	Manual CLAUDE.md	Mem0
Cross-tool sharing	Yes	Claude only	Tool-specific	Yes
Local storage	Yes	Cloud	Local	Cloud / hosted
Directly editable data	JSON / Markdown	Not visible	Yes	API-based
MCP standard	Yes	Not applicable	Not applicable	Yes
Portable backup	Copy files or export JSON	Limited	Copy files	API export
Model-agnostic	Yes	Claude-focused	Depends on the tool	Yes
Price	Free and open source	Included in subscription	Free	Free / paid tiers

Built With

Engram is a human-directed, AI-assisted open-source project.

Contributor	Role
@Patdolitse	Creator, product direction, strategy, ownership
Claude Code	Architecture, task planning, code review assistance
Codex	Implementation, testing, documentation assistance

Contributing

Contributions, issues, and feedback are welcome.

See CONTRIBUTING.md. Chinese readers can also use CONTRIBUTING.zh-CN.md.

License

Apache 2.0. Engram is free software. Your memory belongs to you.