Chroma MCP Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server integration for Chroma, the open-source embedding database.
Overview
Chroma MCP Server creates a persistent, searchable "working memory" for AI-assisted development:
- Automated Context Recall: AI assistants can query relevant information from past sessions
- Developer-Managed Persistence: Store key decisions and insights in ChromaDB via MCP
- Second Brain Integration: Integrates with IDE workflows to create a unified knowledge hub
Key features:
- Automated Codebase Indexing: Track and index code changes
- Automated Chat Logging: Log AI interactions with enhanced context capture (code diffs, tool sequences)
- Bidirectional Linking: Connect discussions to code changes for tracing feature evolution
- Semantic Code Chunking: Preserve logical code structures for more meaningful context retrieval
- Working Memory Tools: MCP commands for capturing and retrieving development context
- Validation System: Evidence-based validation for code changes and learning promotions
- Automated Test-Driven Learning: Fully automated workflow from test failure to verified fix and learning promotion
See the Getting Started with your Second Brain guide for more details.
Quick Start
Installation
# Basic installation
pip install chroma-mcp-server
# Full installation with all embedding models
pip install "chroma-mcp-server[full]"
Running
# With in-memory storage (data lost on restart)
chroma-mcp-server --client-type ephemeral
# With persistent storage
chroma-mcp-server --client-type persistent --data-dir ./my_data
Cursor Integration
Add or modify .cursor/mcp.json in your project root:
{
"mcpServers": {
"chroma": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"chroma-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"CHROMA_CLIENT_TYPE": "persistent",
"CHROMA_DATA_DIR": "/path/to/your/data",
"CHROMA_LOG_DIR": "/path/to/your/logs",
"LOG_LEVEL": "INFO",
"MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "INFO",
"MCP_SERVER_LOG_LEVEL": "INFO"
}
}
}
}
Recent Improvements
- Enhanced Context Capture: Automatically extracts code diffs, tool sequences, and assigns confidence scores
- Bidirectional Linking: Creates navigable connections between chat discussions and code changes
- Semantic Code Chunking: Uses logical boundaries (functions, classes) instead of fixed-size chunks
- Server-Side Timestamp Enforcement: Ensures consistent timestamps across all collections
- Enhanced Logging System: Per-execution log files prevent contamination of JSON communication in stdio mode
- Embedding Function Management: Tools to update collection metadata when changing embedding functions
- Collection Setup Command: Simplifies creation of multiple collections with consistent configuration
- Auto-Promote Workflow: Streamlined derived learning promotion with automatic handling of high-confidence entries
- Smart Defaults: Interactive promotion with intelligent defaults for all fields based on context
- Low Confidence Warnings: Visual indicators for entries that may need more careful review
- Automated Test Workflow: Fully automated capture of test failures, monitoring for fixes, and validated learning promotion
Documentation
Comprehensive documentation is available in the docs directory:
License
Chroma MCP Server is licensed under the MIT License with Commons Clause. This means you can:
✅ Allowed:
- Use Chroma MCP Server for any purpose (personal, commercial, academic)
- Modify the code
- Distribute copies
- Create and sell products built using Chroma MCP Server
❌ Not Allowed:
- Sell Chroma MCP Server itself
- Offer Chroma MCP Server as a hosted service
- Create competing products based on Chroma MCP Server
See the LICENSE.md file for the complete license text.