Memory and knowledge · MCP server
Engrim: MCP server, setup and security
Engrim is an open-source MCP server that lets an AI agent retain decisions locally and recall them through hybrid memory search. Its repository has 299 stars and its last commit is from September 26, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.
| Adoption (stars) | 25/40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 30/30 | |
| Framework (licence, registry, official) | 15/30 |
What Engrim does
According to its repository: “Cross-model, local-first episodic memory engine for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and Antigravity. SQLite FTS5 (BM25) + 8MB static model2vec CPU embeddings via Reciprocal Rank Fusion; stdio MCP server for durable decisions, budget-capped boot context, and hybrid recall. Zero cloud, zero telemetry.”
An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Engrim is listed under Memory and knowledge, a category of 250 servers in the directory, where it ranks #40 by stars.
Topics declared by the repository: ai-agents, claude-code, context-management, developer-tools, memory, rag.
Installing and connecting Engrim
No package or remote server is declared in the official MCP registry: you install it from source, following the repository README.
Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: Python. Listed systems: macOS, Windows, Linux.
Security: what to check
An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.
None of the risk signals we track (system access, secrets, missing licence, abandonment) applies to Engrim. That does not replace reading the code.
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 June 19, 2026, the timgordontg/engrim repository has 299 stars and 15 forks, with 0 open issues. It has more stars than 83% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month.
Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.
Verdict
Engrim is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.
Strengths
- Active project: recent commit
- Widely followed: 299 stars
- Permissive licence (MIT)
Limitations
- Install from source
Alternatives
- Context763.6K ★
- Basic memory4.3K ★
- Hindsight53.4K ★
- Cognee32.7K ★
- Skill Seekers15.2K ★
- Honcho7.8K ★
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Engrim?
No package is declared in the MCP registry: clone the timgordontg/engrim repository, follow its README, then declare the start command in your client's MCP configuration.
Is Engrim free?
The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge.
Is Engrim safe?
No risk signal found (system access, secrets, licence, abandonment). As with any MCP server, keep rights minimal and read the code before sensitive use.
Is it an official server?
Nothing says so: it is a project published by timgordontg on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.
What are the alternatives to Engrim?
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