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Engram works with any MCP-compatible agent. The setup varies slightly by agent, but the core pattern is always the same: point your agent’s MCP config to engram mcp.

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Quick Setup Matrix

OpenCode

Full plugin with session tracking and auto-import

Claude Code

Marketplace plugin with hooks and Memory Protocol skill

Gemini CLI

One-command setup with system prompt injection

Codex

Auto-config with compaction recovery

VS Code

Native MCP support for Copilot and extensions

Antigravity

Google’s AI-first IDE with MCP store

Cursor

Project-level MCP config

Windsurf

User-level MCP setup

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Agent Comparison

AgentSetup MethodPlugin AvailableAuto Session TrackingCompaction Recovery
OpenCodeengram setup opencodeYes (TypeScript)YesYes (via hooks)
Claude CodeMarketplaceYes (bash hooks)YesYes (via hooks)
Gemini CLIengram setup gemini-cliNoNoYes (system.md)
Codexengram setup codexNoNoYes (compaction prompt)
VS CodeManual MCP configNoNoManual (instructions)
AntigravityManual MCP configNoNoManual (GEMINI.md)
CursorManual MCP configNoNoManual (.cursorrules)
WindsurfManual MCP configNoNoManual (.windsurfrules)

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What You Get

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Bare MCP (All Agents)

All agents get access to 14 MCP tools for persistent memory:
  • mem_save — Save structured observations
  • mem_search — Full-text search across memories
  • mem_context — Get recent session context
  • mem_session_summary — Save end-of-session summaries
  • mem_update — Update existing observations
  • mem_delete — Soft or hard delete memories
  • mem_timeline — Chronological context around an observation
  • mem_get_observation — Get full untruncated content
  • mem_suggest_topic_key — Suggest stable topic keys
  • mem_save_prompt — Save user prompts
  • mem_capture_passive — Extract learnings from text output
  • mem_stats — Memory system statistics
  • mem_session_start — Register session start
  • mem_session_end — Mark session as completed

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With Plugins (OpenCode, Claude Code)

Plugins add enhanced functionality:
  • Auto-start — Starts engram serve if not running
  • Session tracking — Automatic session creation and management
  • Auto-import — Loads git-synced memories from .engram/manifest.json
  • Memory Protocol injection — Teaches the agent when to save and search
  • Compaction recovery — Persists context across compaction events
  • Privacy stripping — Removes <private> tags before sending to engram

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With Setup Commands (Gemini CLI, Codex)

The engram setup command:
  • Registers MCP server in config files
  • Writes Memory Protocol to system prompt files
  • Configures compaction recovery instructions
  • Platform-aware (handles Windows paths automatically)

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Prerequisites

All agents require the engram binary to be installed first.
Install via Homebrew (macOS/Linux): 
brew install gentleman-programming/tap/engram
Or download from GitHub Releases. See Installation for all platforms.

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Memory Protocol

Without the Memory Protocol, agents have the tools but don’t know WHEN to use them. The protocol teaches agents:
  • When to save — After bugfixes, decisions, discoveries, patterns
  • When to search — Reactive (“remember”) + proactive (overlapping work)
  • Session close — Mandatory mem_session_summary before ending
  • After compaction — Recover state with mem_context
Some agents get this automatically via plugins or setup commands. Others require manual addition to config files. See each agent’s page for specifics.

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Platform Notes

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Windows

  • Data stored in %USERPROFILE%\.engram\engram.db
  • Config paths use %APPDATA% (e.g., %APPDATA%\opencode\)
  • engram setup handles Windows paths automatically
  • Claude Code plugin hooks require Git Bash or WSL

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macOS

  • Data stored in ~/.engram/engram.db
  • Config paths use ~/.config/ or ~/. prefix
  • Install via Homebrew recommended

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Linux

  • Data stored in ~/.engram/engram.db
  • Config paths use ~/.config/ or ~/. prefix
  • Install via Homebrew or binary download

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Next Steps

Choose your agent from the cards above to see specific setup instructions.

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