OpenContext addresses the problem of ephemeral context in AI agent development, where knowledge is lost across sessions and repositories. It provides a persistent, searchable knowledge store for AI agents and assistants, enabling users to avoid repetition and ensure consistent decision-making. The project targets developers, AI power users, and Cursor IDE users, offering a significant benefit by allowing AI agents to access and contribute to a shared, long-term memory.

How It Works

OpenContext comprises a Command Line Interface (CLI), an MCP (Meta-Context Protocol) Server, a Desktop Application, and a Web UI. The core approach is to create a global context library where project knowledge is stored as documents. Agents can then "load history first, then act," automatically incorporating relevant background information and decisions. The system facilitates direct read/write access to this knowledge base by coding agents, ensuring continuity and leveraging existing information.

Quick Start & Requirements

Installation is primarily via npm: npm install -g @aicontextlab/cli. Key prerequisites include Node.js and npm. A quick setup for CLI and Cursor integration involves:

1. Installing the CLI globally.
2. Initializing OpenContext in a project directory (oc init).
3. Utilizing provided slash commands within Cursor (e.g., /opencontext-context, /opencontext-search). Official resources include a Website, Usage Guide, and Desktop App Downloads.

Highlighted Details

• Provides a global context library functional across all projects.
• Enables AI agents to automatically load project background and decisions.
• Allows AI agents direct read/write capabilities to the user's knowledge base.
• Offers multiple interfaces: CLI, MCP Server (for agent integration), Desktop App (native UI), and Web UI (local browser access).

Maintenance & Community

The repository is maintained by 0xranx. No specific community channels (like Discord/Slack) or details on major contributors/sponsorships are provided in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is licensed under the MIT license. This license is highly permissive, generally allowing for commercial use and integration into closed-source projects without significant restrictions.

Limitations & Caveats

The README does not explicitly detail limitations such as alpha status, known bugs, or unsupported platforms. Development instructions suggest separate build processes for the Desktop and Web UI components, which may imply varying levels of maturity or distinct feature sets between these interfaces.