What is the key difference between Shodh Memory and Lean Memory?

Shodh Memory belongs to the Knowledge & Memory category with local stdio execution, while Lean Memory belongs to the Knowledge & Memory category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Shodh Memory or Lean Memory in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Shodh Memory and Lean Memory free or paid?

Shodh Memory operates under a Free / Open Source model (API Key required). Lean Memory operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Shodh Memory lists 6 tools with 1 views and 244 GitHub stars. Lean Memory lists 6 tools with 1 views and 47 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Shodh Memory and Lean Memory together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

How do I install Shodh Memory or Lean Memory in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are Shodh Memory and Lean Memory free to use, or do they require API keys?

Shodh Memory is listed under a Free / Open Source model with API Key required . Lean Memory operates under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both Shodh Memory and Lean Memory at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both varun29ankus-shodh-memory and wuesteon-lean-memory as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, Shodh Memory has a Quality Score of 55 /100 ( Good ) with 1 views, 0 installs, and 244 GitHub stars. Lean Memory holds a Quality Score of 45 /100 ( Fair ) with 1 views, 0 installs, and 47 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Shodh Memory vs Lean Memory

In-depth architectural comparison of the Shodh Memory and Lean Memory 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.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Shodh Memory

Knowledge & Memory · Local stdio

Quality: 55/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required

Lean Memory

Knowledge & Memory · Local stdio

Quality: 45/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Shodh Memory if you need specialized Knowledge & Memory tools running via a local process. Choose Lean Memory if your workspace requires Knowledge & Memory integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Shodh Memory when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: API Key required (Free / Open Source).
You have access to required keys: SHODH_API_KEY, SHODH_CONFIG_PATH, SHODH_DATA_DIR.
Primary tools included: Zero LLM calls for storing or recalling memories, Hebbian learning with memory strengthening and decay, Local semantic search using MiniLM embeddings.

Explore Shodh Memory Details

Choose Lean Memory 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).
You have access to required keys: LM_DATA_ROOT, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.
Primary tools included: .

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Shodh Memory varun29ankuS Knowledge & Memory	Lean Memory Wuesteon Knowledge & Memory
Summary	Cognitive memory for AI agents with Hebbian learning, 3-tier architecture, and knowledge graphs. Single 15MB binary, runs offline on edge devices.	Embedded, local-first agent memory in a single SQLite file per namespace (vec0 + FTS5 hybrid retrieval). ADD-only history queryable as-of any past time; offline sleep-time maintenance stages dedupe/summarize/evict proposals a human reviews. No Docker, no server, no cloud key. pip install 'lean-memory[mcp]'
Category & Scope

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Shodh Memory Tools (6)

Zero LLM calls for storing or recalling memories

Hebbian learning with memory strengthening and decay

Local semantic search using MiniLM embeddings

Named entity recognition and typed relation extraction

Causal lineage tracing via knowledge graph edges

Runs fully offline as a single ~17MB binary

Lean Memory Tools (6)

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).

Shodh Memory Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "varun29ankus-shodh-memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@shodh/memory-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SHODH_API_KEY": "YOUR_SHODH_API_KEY_HERE",
        "SHODH_CONFIG_PATH": "YOUR_SHODH_CONFIG_PATH_HERE",
        "SHODH_DATA_DIR": "YOUR_SHODH_DATA_DIR_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Lean Memory Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wuesteon-lean-memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "wuesteon-lean-memory"
      ],
      "env": {
        "LM_DATA_ROOT": "YOUR_LM_DATA_ROOT_HERE",
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Shodh Memory is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Lean Memory belongs to Knowledge & Memory using local stdio subprocess. Select Shodh Memory when you need capabilities focused on knowledge & memory and Lean Memory when you require tools for knowledge & memory.

More alternatives to Shodh Memory More alternatives to Lean Memory Knowledge & Memory category hub