# Artel

Artel runs a self-hosted shared memory layer for AI agents. It captures insights across coding sessions and serves relevant notes right before file edits.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 9
- Author: NicolasPrimeau
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/NicolasPrimeau/artel
- Updated: 2026-10-20
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/artel

## What it does

Artel deploys locally through Docker Compose, storing agent notes in SQLite with WAL mode and vector embeddings. It connects via HTTP or MCP, exposing 47 tools. When an agent touches a file, the server performs semantic retrieval and outputs a concise note without requiring manual lookups.

The system classifies entries into five categories: `memory`, `doc`, `directive`, `skill`, and `compiled`. A background archivist routinely resolves contradictions, merges duplicate findings, and decays stale information.

The archivist requires `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` or `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` to organize records; without one, the server operates passively. On macOS or Windows Docker Desktop, remove the `mdns` container because host networking is limited to Linux.

## Requirements
- Needs: Docker
- Remote server: `https://{artel_host}/mcp`

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Template address**
- The server address is a template: replace {…} or […] with your own values

2. **Platform CLI: remote server**
```bash
claude mcp add --transport http artel https://{artel_host}/mcp
```

### Codex

1. **Template address**
- The server address is a template: replace {…} or […] with your own values

2. **Platform CLI: remote server**
```bash
codex mcp add artel --url https://{artel_host}/mcp
```

### Cursor

1. **Template address**
- The server address is a template: replace {…} or […] with your own values

2. **Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "artel": {
            "url": "https://{artel_host}/mcp"
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

1. **Template address**
- The server address is a template: replace {…} or […] with your own values

2. **Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "artel": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://{artel_host}/mcp"
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

1. **Template address**
- The server address is a template: replace {…} or […] with your own values

2. **Platform CLI: remote server**
```bash
gemini mcp add -t http artel https://{artel_host}/mcp
```

## When to use it
- Share debugging discoveries across distinct agent sessions
- Retain migration progress and handoff notes between workdays
- Store architecture choices as immutable records
- Surface file-specific pitfalls before modifying code

## Example prompts
- Check Artel for known issues before modifying `auth.py`
- Record this migration decision in Artel as a permanent directive
- Ask Artel where the previous agent stopped in this repository

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From the same set: [nicolasprimeau/artel](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/nicolasprimeau/artel.md) — 2 cards

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