Ctxfile vs MCP Memory Gateway

In-depth architectural comparison of the Ctxfile and MCP Memory Gateway MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Ctxfile when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
• Primary tools included: Structured project snapshots, Session saving and thread handoffs, Schema-enforced context ingestion.

Explore Ctxfile Details

Choose MCP Memory Gateway when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
• Primary tools included: PreToolUse and pre-action checks, Stdio MCP gate_check capability, Local feedback and lesson capture.

Explore MCP Memory Gateway Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Ctxfile ctxfile Knowledge & Memory	MCP Memory Gateway IgorGanapolsky Knowledge & Memory
Summary	Local-first MCP server that snapshots your project's working state — files, git, plan, and decisions — into one structured context object and hands it to any MCP client in a single call. Save a session in one agent, continue it in another. Zero network calls by default; read-only over your project. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP client. npx -y ctxfile	Pre-action gates that prevent AI coding agents from repeating known mistakes. Captures explicit feedback, auto-promotes failures into prevention rules, and enforces them via hooks.
Category & Scope

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ctxfile-ctxfile": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "ctxfile"
      ]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "igorganapolsky-mcp-memory-gateway": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "thumbgate"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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