Chat Crystal MCP Server

Local-first AI PKM for coding conversations Website · Download Desktop · npm · Docs · 简体中文

People connecting memory tools to Claude, Cursor, VS Code, or another MCP client. The project is written in TypeScript.

VERIFIED ACTIVE

LAST COMMIT 2026-06-27 · ★ 55 · #80 OF 259 MAINTAINED MEMORY · VERIFIED 2026-08-25

Apache-2.0 · TypeScript servers · how we verify → /methodology

01 · Install Chat Crystal

before you install - you'll need

The README does not document required environment variables for a basic install.

Claude Code

claude mcp add zengliangyi-chatcrystal -- npx -y chatcrystal

Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code - add to config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "zengliangyi-chatcrystal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "chatcrystal"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Same JSON for Cursor. For VS Code, rename the top-level key from `mcpServers` to `servers`.

Using another client? Same JSON, different key

Claude Desktop · mcpServers

Cursor · mcpServers

VS Code · servers

Windsurf · mcpServers

Zed · context_servers

Cline · mcpServers

Roo Code · mcpServers

Continue · mcpServers

LibreChat · mcpServers

Gemini CLI · mcpServers

Codex CLI · mcp_servers

Full setup guides: every client.

02 · Evidence

Security posture

What to check before giving this server access to your agent - from the registry, GitHub, and our own probes. We don't score safety; we show what's verifiable.

runs as local process (stdio) - runs on your machine with your user's permissions

license Apache-2.0 - declared in the repository

npm package chatcrystal - unscoped; check the name against the project README before installing

registry namespace io.github.ZengLiangYi is GitHub-verified and matches the repo owner

03 · What Chat Crystal can do

Prose above is summarized from the project's README and registry record - no invented capabilities.

Latest releases

v0.5.3 · 2026-06-27

Settings Model Discovery · Added model-list discovery to the local Settings page for both LLM and Embedding configuration. · Added a searchable fetched-model picker while keeping the model field manually editable.…

v0.5.2 · 2026-06-08

Markdown Export · Added single-note Markdown export from the note detail page for readable backup and sharing. · Exported notes now use minimal frontmatter with title, optional tags, optional source type, and local…

v0.5.1 · 2026-06-06

Desktop Updates · Added a manual Electron update check backed by GitHub Releases, with support for v and electron-v release tags. · Added update entry points in the tray menu and Settings page while keeping the…

04 · Who maintains Chat Crystal

ChatCrystal is maintained by zengliangyi. It's the only MCP server we track from this author; the repo dates to Mar 2026.

05 · Facts

repository: github.com/zengliangyi/chatcrystal
website: https://zengliangyi.github.io/ChatCrystal/
category: memory - ranked #80 of 259 actively-maintained memory servers as of 2026-08-25.
release cadence: 10+ releases in the last 90 days (latest 2026-06-27)
registry: io.github.ZengLiangYi/chatcrystal (active, first published 2026-06-12 · 5 versions)
packages: npm:chatcrystal

06 · Chat Crystal FAQ

What is Chat Crystal?

Local-first AI PKM for coding conversations Website · Download Desktop · npm · Docs · 简体中文

Is Chat Crystal still maintained?

Yes - as of 2026-08-25, its last commit was 2026-06-27 and it shipped 10+ releases in the last 90 days. We re-verify nightly.

How do I install Chat Crystal?

Run `npx -y chatcrystal`. The README does not document required environment variables for a basic install. You can also paste the ready-made client config above.

Does Chat Crystal run locally?

Yes - it's a stdio server: it runs on your machine (via npx) with your user's permissions. Your data stays local unless the server itself calls external APIs.

07 · Alternatives to Chat Crystal

Alternatives to Chat Crystal

Maintained memory servers if Chat Crystal isn't the fit.

Pairs well with

Servers that cover what Chat Crystal doesn't - only shown when the pairing reason fits the companion.

More memory MCP servers · Local Keep · Ori Memory · Waggle MCP · Neuromcp · Robrain

More TypeScript MCP servers · Zenrows MCP · GitLab MCP · Draw2agent · Llmmcp · Zeta Chain CLI · see all