> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://slowave.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Persistent memory for Claude Desktop with Slowave

> Give Claude Desktop a local memory that carries across conversations. Slowave connects over MCP; you paste one block into Custom Instructions.

![Claude logo](https://mintcdn.com/slowave-ai/hrOsN_VNHRWDj6ew/images/clients/claude.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=hrOsN_VNHRWDj6ew\&q=85\&s=04165a07ea4cad82fd75aa04e556bf06)

Slowave gives Claude Desktop access to the same local memory as your other agents. Setup needs one manual paste.

## What you get

* Setup adds the Slowave server to Claude Desktop's config file.
* Claude Desktop starts Slowave over stdio. This differs from the other agents.
* You paste Slowave's instructions into Custom Instructions yourself.
* Memory stays on your machine.

## Set up

**1. Install Slowave**

```bash theme={null}
pipx install slowave
```

**2. Preview and run setup**

```bash theme={null}
slowave setup --client claude-desktop --dry-run
slowave setup --client claude-desktop
```

Setup prints Slowave's instruction block in your terminal.

**3. Paste the instructions**

In Claude Desktop, open **Settings**, then **General**, then **Instructions for Claude**. Paste the block that setup printed.

**4. Restart Claude Desktop**

Quit and reopen the app.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Custom Instructions apply before the first turn. Skills may load later, so they can't replace this step. Claude Desktop stores the field on Anthropic's side, so setup can't fill it in.

## Check that it works

Start a new conversation. The `slowave_*` tools should appear. Then run:

```bash theme={null}
slowave doctor
```

## Good to know

* Setup detects Claude Desktop through its application support folder. On macOS that is `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/`.
* The config file is `claude_desktop_config.json` in that folder. Windows uses `%APPDATA%\Claude\`. Linux uses `~/.config/Claude/`.
* Slowave stores memory locally. When recalled, that context goes to Claude under Anthropic's data handling.

## Troubleshooting

> [accordion] The tools don't appear
>
> Check the config path shown by `slowave setup --dry-run`. Check that the JSON is valid, then restart Claude Desktop.

> [accordion] Memory only starts on turn two
>
> The instructions are probably missing from Custom Instructions. Paste the block there instead of using a Skill.

> [accordion] Setup didn't connect the server
>
> Add this to the config file, then restart. Find the path with `which slowave-mcp` on macOS or Linux:
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "mcpServers": {
>     "slowave": {
>       "command": "/path/to/slowave-mcp"
>     }
>   }
> }
> ```

> [card] [Quickstart](https://slowave.ai/quickstart.md)
>
> Install Slowave and see your first memory.

> [card] [All integrations](https://slowave.ai/integrations/overview.md)
>
> Compare every supported agent.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.