Codebase Memory MCP vs Empathy Framework

In-depth architectural comparison of the Codebase Memory MCP and Empathy Framework 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 Codebase Memory MCP 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: index_repository, list_projects, delete_project.

Explore Codebase Memory MCP Details

Choose Empathy Framework when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: API Key required (BYOK (Pay Provider Direct)).
• You have access to required keys: EMPATHY_REDIS_URL, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, EMPATHY_CLAUDE_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY.
• Primary tools included: Native integration with Anthropic Claude LLMs, Multi-agent orchestration with dashboard and event streaming, Prompt caching reducing repeated prompt costs by 90%.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Codebase Memory MCP DeusData Knowledge & Memory	Empathy Framework Smart-AI-Memory Knowledge & Memory
Summary	Code-intelligence engine that indexes a repo into a persistent knowledge graph — functions, classes, call chains, HTTP routes, cross-service links. 159 languages via tree-sitter + Hybrid LSP, sub-ms structural queries, 99% fewer tokens than grep. Single static binary, zero dependencies, 100% local. npx codebase-memory-mcp	Five-level AI collaboration system with persistent memory and anticipatory capabilities. MCP-native integration for Claude and other LLMs with local-first architecture via MemDocs.
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": {
    "deusdata-codebase-memory-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "codebase-memory-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smart-ai-memory-empathy-framework": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "empathy-framework"
      ],
      "env": {
        "EMPATHY_REDIS_URL": "YOUR_EMPATHY_REDIS_URL_HERE",
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY_HERE",
        "EMPATHY_CLAUDE_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY": "YOUR_EMPATHY_CLAUDE_SUBSCRIPTION_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

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