Claude Desktop Setup

Remem’s Go service provides the REST API, Pebble-backed storage, and MCP endpoint on port 4545. Claude Desktop speaks MCP over stdio, so it uses the small remem-mcp companion binary to connect to the running server.

Start Remem

The easiest way is docker compose, using the docker-compose.yml from Docker Compose:
Terminal window
```
docker compose up -d
```
Edit Claude Desktop config

Open the config file:
- macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
- Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Add the Remem server, running remem-mcp as the stdio bridge. If the binary is on your PATH, use:
```
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remem": {
      "command": "remem-mcp",
      "args": ["--url", "http://localhost:4545/mcp", "--api-key", "your-secret-key"]
    }
  }
}
```
If auth is enabled (see Authentication), add Replace your-secret-key with the value configured as REMEM_SERVER_API_KEY.
Restart Claude Desktop

The tools icon appears in the conversation input when MCP tools are active.

Verifying the connection

In a Claude conversation:

“What Remem tools do you have access to?”

Claude will list the 8 available tools and 3 resources.

First memory

“Remember that I prefer responses in bullet points.”

Claude calls store_memory. The memory persists — start a new conversation and ask Claude something. It will call search_memories before responding and use the preference you stored.

Troubleshooting

Tools icon not showing: Restart Claude Desktop. Check that Remem is running and healthy: curl http://localhost:4545/api/v1/health.

“Connection refused” in Claude: Confirm Remem is reachable at the --server-url given in your config, and that it’s healthy (see above).

Authentication errors: Ensure the --api-key value in your config matches REMEM_SERVER_API_KEY on the server.