Getting Started
The fastest paths to a stored-and-recalled memory — self-host with one docker run, then pick the Python or TypeScript quickstart.
Two steps get you from nothing to a working memory: run a server, then talk to it from your language.
1. Run a server
Use CortexDB Cloud
The CortexDB Cloud Quickstart gets you an endpoint (https://api.cortexdb.ai) and an API
token in two minutes, with nothing to run. The quickstarts below work the same against it: use that base
URL, your token as the bearer and your actor from the dashboard. Customers running their own server
start from the Self-Hosting Quickstart.
2. Pick your language
| Quickstart | Package | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Python | pip install cortexdbai | Agents, notebooks, backend services |
| TypeScript | npm install cortexdbai | Node and browser apps |
Both quickstarts assume a server from step 1 and cover the same three calls: experience (write),
recall (read a stratified pack), and answer (cited natural-language Q&A).
Other ways in
- REST API — direct HTTP with curl, if you're not using an SDK.
- CLI —
pip install cortexdb-clifor a shell-native workflow. - MCP Server — give Claude Code, Cursor or any MCP client persistent memory.
- CortexDB for AI coding agents — have your coding assistant generate correct CortexDB code.
Once it's running
- Core Concepts — the five memory layers, scopes, and the bi-temporal model.
- Self-hosting defaults — what's on out of the box and what's opt-in.