Basic Memory vs Not Just Another Docs Tool

A side-by-side look at the Basic Memory and Not Just Another Docs Tool MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Basic Memory logoBasic MemoryKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Persistent, local-first AI memory: a semantic knowledge graph of plain Markdown files that humans and LLMs both read and write. Works with any MCP client, with optional cloud sync and team workspaces.64GoodAuth: no auth requiredNot Just Another Docs Tool logoNot Just Another Docs ToolKnowledge & MemoryApple Developer Documentation with Semantic Search, RAG, and AI reranking for MCP clients57GoodAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose Basic Memory for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose Not Just Another Docs Tool for knowledge & memory. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Basic Memory logoChoose Basic Memory when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like write_note, read_note, edit_note.
Explore Basic Memory

Not Just Another Docs Tool logoChoose Not Just Another Docs Tool when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like search, fetch.
Explore Not Just Another Docs Tool

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecBasic Memory logoBasic MemoryNot Just Another Docs Tool logoNot Just Another Docs Tool
CategoryKnowledge & MemoryKnowledge & Memory
Quality signal64/100 · Good57/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedNot confirmed yet
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)—
AuthNo auth requiredNo auth required
PricingFreemiumFreemium
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars4,323121
Directory activity 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools212

Tools & capabilities

Basic Memory tools 21

  • write_note
  • read_note
  • edit_note
  • move_note
  • delete_note
  • read_content
  • view_note
  • search_notes
  • recent_activity
  • list_directory
  • build_context
  • list_memory_projects
  • +9 more on the listing page

Not Just Another Docs Tool tools 2

  • searchSearch official Apple developer documentation and WWDC video transcripts using hybrid retrieval (keyword + semantic), followed by Jev relevance ranking of the merged candidates. Returns ranked source excerpts; use fetch for complete page content.
  • fetchRetrieve complete cleaned content for a specific Apple developer documentation or video by URL. Returns the full processed content from Apple's official knowledge base.

Ready-to-paste client configs

Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.

Basic Memory

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "basicmachines-co-basic-memory": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "--prerelease=allow",
        "basic-memory"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Not Just Another Docs Tool

No confirmed install command for Not Just Another Docs Tool yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.

Frequently asked questions

Basic Memory is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Not Just Another Docs Tool belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Basic Memory for knowledge & memory work and Not Just Another Docs Tool for knowledge & memory.

Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client. Not Just Another Docs Tool has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.

Basic Memory is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: no auth required. Not Just Another Docs Tool is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: no auth required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.

Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add basicmachines-co-basic-memory and mcp-server-19 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Basic Memory has a quality signal of 64/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 4,323 GitHub stars. Not Just Another Docs Tool has 57/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 121 GitHub stars.