Did you know that Claude Desktop’s MCP (Model Context Protocol) feature includes not just Filesystem mode, but also “Memory MCP (server-memory)”? With Memory MCP, Claude gains a persistent memory function that allows it to retain user information across sessions.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through setting up Memory MCP on Mac environment, step by step!
Article Summary
- Add long-term memory capabilities to Claude!
- You’ll need Node.js and to edit a configuration file
- Includes details on recommended Node.js version (LTS)
- Enable advanced interactions using memory!
Reference: Setting up Claude Memory MCP (Medium) and others
Prerequisites
- Claude Desktop already installed
- Node.js (recommended version: 22.14.0 LTS) installed
Steps to Set Up Memory MCP (server-memory) on Mac
1Verify Node.js Installation
Run the following in Terminal to check if Node.js is installed:
Claude Desktop’s MCP feature recommends using the stable LTS version. The recommended version is Node.js 22.14.0 (LTS).
If Node.js is not installed or outdated, install it from the Node.js official website (LTS version).
2Open Claude Desktop’s Configuration File
- Launch Claude Desktop
- From the menu bar, select “Claude” → “Settings…”
- Select “Developer” from the sidebar
- Click the “Edit Config” button
This will open the configuration file (claude_desktop_config.json).
3Edit the Configuration File to Add Memory MCP
Add the following to the configuration file:
Important Notes
- If you want to use both filesystem MCP and memory MCP, include both within mcpServers.
- Pay attention to JSON syntax (don’t forget commas and brackets!).
Example (When setting up both Filesystem and Memory at the same time):
4Restart Claude Desktop
After saving the configuration file, completely quit Claude Desktop (“Quit Claude”) and then restart it.
5Verify It’s Working
After restarting, check if you see the “hammer 🔨” icon at the bottom of the input field – if you do, it’s working!
Try making requests like these to Claude:
- “My favorite food is pizza. Please remember this.”
- In the next session, ask “What is my favorite food?” – Claude should answer “pizza”!
That’s the power of Memory MCP!
Troubleshooting
If Memory MCP isn’t working properly:
- Did you restart Claude Desktop?
- Is the JSON in your configuration file correct?
- Check logs in Terminal:
If you see errors, review your configuration settings!
What You Can Do with Memory MCP
When Claude gets “memory” through Memory MCP, you can:
- Have it remember your preferences and interests
- Let it recall past project details to assist you
- Make ongoing conversations feel more natural!
Claude truly evolves into “your personal intelligent assistant” ✨
Conclusion: Give Claude Memory!
By setting up Claude’s Memory MCP, your conversational AI transforms from a simple question-answering tool into a partner that understands and remembers you. The setup only takes a few minutes, so why not give it a try?
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