# NeuroStack MCP server

> Indexes a Markdown vault into a local SQLite RAG store so AI clients can search notes, walk link graphs, and save memories.

- Repository: https://github.com/raphasouthall/neurostack
- Page: https://hostedmcp.org/servers/raphasouthall/neurostack
- Transport: stdio, remote
- Stars: 47
- License: Apache-2.0
- Latest version: 0.12.0

## Install

### Claude Code

```sh
claude mcp add neurostack -- npx -y neurostack
```

### Cursor (`~/.cursor/mcp.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "neurostack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "neurostack"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code (`.vscode/mcp.json`)

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "neurostack": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "neurostack"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code CLI

```sh
code --add-mcp '{"name":"neurostack","type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","neurostack"]}'
```

### Claude Desktop (`claude_desktop_config.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "neurostack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "neurostack"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```sh
codex mcp add neurostack -- npx -y neurostack
```

### Codex config.toml (`~/.codex/config.toml`)

```toml
[mcp_servers.neurostack]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "neurostack"]
```

### Gemini CLI

```sh
gemini mcp add -s user neurostack npx -- -y neurostack
```

### Gemini settings.json (`~/.gemini/settings.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "neurostack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "neurostack"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Environment variables

| Name | Required | Secret | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `NEUROSTACK_VAULT_ROOT` | no | no | Path to your Markdown vault (e.g. ~/brain, ~/notes) |

## FAQ

### Does NeuroStack modify my Markdown files?

No. Indexing, search, and graph analysis are read-only by default; write tools are opt-in and require a git repo.

### Which AI clients can connect to NeuroStack?

It works with Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini CLI, VS Code, Codex, and any other MCP-capable client.

### Does anything leave my machine?

Nothing leaves your machine unless you configure a third-party LLM provider for summaries and embeddings.

### How do I install NeuroStack?

Install via npm, then run the init wizard to pick your notes folder and mode; pipx and uv are also supported.

### What is the difference between Lite and Full mode?

Lite (~130 MB) offers keyword search and stale detection without a GPU; Full (~560 MB) adds semantic search, summaries, and topic clustering via local Ollama.