# How to give Claude Desktop better memory

[Claude Desktop](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-claude-desktop-your-knowledge) has built-in memory: it saves individual topics as you chat, and you can also tell it "remember this" ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). It is on by default for Free, Pro, Max, and Ultra plans ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). To give Claude access to your [saved reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-that-remembers-what-you-read), decisions, and playbooks as well, add the KnowMan [MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base), which exposes the `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, and `kb_memories` tools.

## Turn memory on in Claude Desktop

Memory is on by default for Free, Pro, Max, and Ultra plans on the web, Claude Desktop, and Claude Mobile, once you update the app to the latest version ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). If memory is off, open Settings > Your Claude, or Settings > Memory in the older layout, and turn on "Generate memory from chats" ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## What Claude remembers, including projects

With memory, Claude turns from a stateless chat interface into a collaborator that builds understanding over time ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). It saves memory as a set of individual topics as you chat, rather than summarizing conversations after they end. Claude saves on its own, and you can also say "remember this" to save something directly ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

Topics include your role, projects, and professional context, plus technical preferences and coding style ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Each project also has its own memory. In a project, Claude uses the project's memory alongside your account memory, but not memory from other projects, and you can turn off "Use account memory" to keep it fully separate ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## Manage, pause, or reset memory

To see and manage everything Claude remembers, go to Settings > Your Claude and select "Manage" next to Your memory ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). You can also update memory from a chat. Tell Claude what to remember, change, or forget, and the update applies to your next conversation ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

Pausing memory keeps existing memories, but Claude will not use memory or make new ones ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Resetting memory permanently deletes all memories, including project memories, and cannot be undone ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Deleting a conversation does not remove the memory entries generated from it, but you can delete individual memories while memory is on ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## Turn memory off for one chat

You can leave memory on for your account and still turn it off for a single chat. In the documented steps for the web and Claude Desktop, click "Memory" to turn it off for that chat. Claude will not use what it remembers there, and nothing from the chat is saved to memory ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

Choose this before the first message. Once the chat starts, the setting cannot be changed, so start a new chat to change it ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Incognito chats are also never saved to Claude's memory or your chat history ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## What Claude will not store

By default, Claude does not store sensitive topics such as your health, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, politics, or gender identity ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Some information is never saved to memory, even if you ask: government ID numbers, criminal history, financial account numbers, and immigration status ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

Chats in which Claude used your linked Personal Finance accounts are designed so nothing from that chat is saved to memory or searched later ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## Search past chats

Searching past chats is available on paid plans, meaning Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, and Enterprise, on the web, Claude Desktop, and Claude Mobile apps ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). These searches use Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and appear as tool calls during your conversations ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

To turn search off, open Settings > Your Claude, or Settings > Memory in the older layout, and switch "Search and reference chats" off ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## Add the KnowMan MCP server to Claude Desktop

KnowMan also ships an MCP server, a standalone stdio package, `@knowman/mcp`, that needs Node 22 or newer. The KnowMan README documents the [Claude Desktop setup](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/claude-desktop): edit `claude_desktop_config.json`, add `mcpServers.knowman` with command `npx` and args `["-y","@knowman/mcp"]`, set `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` in `env`, then restart the app. If `npx` is not found, use the absolute path to Node.

Create the key at Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent in the KnowMan web app, or run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once. The saved credential is shared by the CLI and the MCP server, so the env block can be dropped. For more, see the [MCP server knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) guide.

## Where KnowMan fits

Claude's built-in memory is generated from your chats ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Reading and decisions you keep outside Claude are a different problem. KnowMan saves articles and links, reads and tags them, [answers questions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base) with citations, and keeps memories: claims, decisions, and playbooks.

With the MCP server connected, Claude Desktop can call `kb_search` to find [saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-knowledge-base) by keyword or meaning, `kb_ask` to get an answer with citations, and `kb_memories` to read your saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. KnowMan is built for [one person's library](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-memory-for-individuals) today. For the wider pattern, see [persistent memory for AI agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents) or [give your AI context](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context).

## Use the hosted KnowMan server

Claude Desktop can connect to the hosted KnowMan MCP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. Add the server URL, then [sign in](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) on the KnowMan consent page with OAuth and approve the requested access. Alternatively, create an API key in KnowMan settings and send it as an Authorization: Bearer header.

For local Claude Desktop, configure the open-source client instead: {"mcpServers":{"knowman":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@knowman/mcp"],"env":{"KNOWMAN_API_KEY":"<key>"}}}}. Ask Claude to "search my KnowMan for ..." or "save this URL". See https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp for the client.

## Questions

### Does Claude Desktop have memory?

Yes. Memory is on by default for Free, Pro, Max, and Ultra plans on the web, Claude Desktop, and Claude Mobile ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). Claude saves individual topics as you chat, and you can also say "remember this" to save something directly ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

### How do I see what Claude remembers about me?

Go to Settings > Your Claude and select "Manage" next to Your memory ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). You can also tell Claude in a chat what to remember, change, or forget, and the update applies to your next conversation ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

### What does Claude never save to memory?

Government ID numbers, criminal history, financial account numbers, and immigration status are never saved, even if you ask ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). By default, sensitive topics such as health, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, politics, and gender identity are also not stored ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

### Can Claude Desktop search past chats?

Yes, on paid plans: Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, and Enterprise, on the web, desktop, and mobile apps ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)). The searches use Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and appear as tool calls in the conversation ([Claude help](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11817273-use-claude-s-chat-search-and-memory-to-build-on-previous-context)).

## Related guides

- [How to Build a Claude Knowledge Base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-knowledge-base)

- [Persistent Memory for AI Agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents)

- [How to Give ChatGPT Memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-give-chatgpt-memory)

- [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context)

## More in this topic

- [How to give Codex better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/codex-memory)
- [How to give Cline better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/cline-memory)
- [How to give Continue better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/continue-memory)

## More for Claude Desktop

- [KnowMan MCP server for Claude Desktop](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/claude-desktop)
- [How to teach Claude Desktop your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-claude-desktop-your-knowledge)

## Give Claude Desktop your library

Save what you read and decide, then let Claude ask it questions over MCP. Try KnowMan Pro for 14 days with no credit card. [Create your account](https://app.knowman.io/signup)

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Source: https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-desktop-memory