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Memory and knowledge · MCP server

Ctxfile: MCP server, setup and security

Ctxfile is an open-source MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent capture project working state to transfer sessions between different agents. Its repository has 5 stars and its last commit is from October 23, 2026 and it is licensed under Apache-2.0.

Actively maintainedNeeds secrets

What Ctxfile does

According to its repository: “Snapshots a project's working state (files, git, plan, decisions) into one context object so a session can move between agents. Local and read-only.”

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard plug between an AI agent and an outside service: once the server is connected, its tools show up in the agent, which decides when to call them. Ctxfile is listed under Memory and knowledge, a category of 250 servers in the directory, where it ranks #228 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: claude, context, cursor, local-first, typescript.

Installing and connecting Ctxfile

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx)

It works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and most recent agents). You add one entry to the client's MCP configuration: server name, start command or URL, environment variables. Project language: TypeScript. Listed systems: macOS, Windows, Linux.

The registry lists one secret variable to provide (API key, access token). Keep them in the client's environment variables, never in a shared file or a repository.

Security: what to check

Connecting an MCP server means installing software that talks straight to your agent: it runs with your rights and the model trusts its tool descriptions. The risk therefore depends on what it can touch and how far its code can be trusted.

Points found for Ctxfile:

  • Secrets: the server acts with your credentials. Create a dedicated key with minimum rights and an expiry date.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on July 13, 2026, the ctxfile/ctxfile repository has 5 stars and 0 forks, with 0 open issues. It has more stars than 13% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.6.0 (September 26, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

Context7Context7 : 63.6K63.6KHindsightHindsight : 53.4K53.4KCogneeCognee : 32.7K32.7KSkill SeekersSkill Seekers : 15.2K15.2KHonchoHoncho : 7.8K7.8KBasic memoryBasic memory : 4.3K4.3KNoteDiscoveryNoteDiscovery : 2.8K2.8KMemantoMemanto : 2.3K2.3KCtxfileCtxfile : 55
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); Ctxfile in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

Ctxfile is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Permissive licence (Apache-2.0)

Limitations

  • Requires an API key or token
  • Few visible users

Avoid if…

  • You do not want to give credentials to an agent

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Ctxfile?

Ctxfile is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of ctxfile/ctxfile.

Is Ctxfile free?

The code is published under the Apache-2.0 licence and can be used free of charge. It needs an API key: the service it connects to may be paid.

Is Ctxfile safe?

Points to watch: secrets. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.

Is it an official server?

It is published in the MCP registry under the verified namespace dev.ctxfile, which shows the publisher controls that domain.

What are the alternatives to Ctxfile?

In the same category: Context7, Basic memory, Hindsight, and Cognee. Context7 and Basic memory score higher on our grid.

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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score