How to use the claude-mem-install skill for Cursor agents

What does the claude-mem-install skill do?

An agent skill is a folder containing a SKILL.md file with instructions that an AI agent reads when a task matches the skill's description. This skill covers installing claude-mem into Cursor. Its description says to use it when setting up claude-mem on Cursor, choosing between a local or remote worker, and choosing a local host-login observer or remote cmem.ai inference.

The skill covers two setups. The default is a local worker running on your own machine. The other is a remote worker on a server. It also explains how the observer, the part of claude-mem that summarises activity, gets its AI inference: either from a remote service at cmem.ai (through OpenRouter settings) or from a local host-login shim.

• Local worker (default): runs on your machine.
• Remote worker: runs on a server you specify, such as https://YOUR_HOST.
• Observer inference: remote via cmem.ai/OpenRouter, or local via host login.
• The skill is specific to Cursor and states that it does not require or cover other IDEs.

How do you install the skill?

Download the skill ZIP from the directory page. Then add it to your agent in one of two ways.

For Claude Code, unzip the file into your personal skills folder ~/.claude/skills/, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder to limit it to that project.

In the Claude apps, upload the ZIP under Settings → Capabilities → Skills.

• Personal use: unzip into ~/.claude/skills/.
• Single project: unzip into the project's .claude/skills/ folder.
• Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills, then upload the ZIP.

How do you set up the local worker?

The default setup runs the claude-mem install command for Cursor. This starts the local worker. Hooks already ship with the plugin, and the MCP server named claude-mem-local talks to the worker.

For the observer, the typical choice is remote inference: leave the provider as openrouter or cmem.ai, with the base URL set to https://cmem.ai/api/inference/v1. If you prefer local host-login inference, use the --provider host option. That uses a loopback shim. Never bind the worker port. On macOS the worker is often on port 37777, so the shim uses 37778 instead.

• Requires Node.js with npx available.
• Remote inference: provider openrouter or cmem.ai.
• Local host login: --provider host, shim on port 37778 (on macOS).

How do you set up a remote worker?

Use a remote worker when you want a shared server rather than a process on your own machine. Replace YOUR_HOST with your server address. Then set the plugin variable CLAUDE_MEM_MCP_TOKEN so the claude-mem-remote MCP server can connect. The endpoint can be https://cmem.ai/api/mcp or your own server.

The skill also says never to restart a healthy worker, because it holds a RAM queue. Host and openrouter providers do not need the Claude CLI.

• Set CLAUDE_MEM_MCP_TOKEN for the claude-mem-remote server.
• Endpoint: https://cmem.ai/api/mcp or your own server.
• Do not restart a healthy worker, since it holds a RAM queue.

How do you trigger the skill with a natural request?

You do not need to name the skill. Ask the agent in plain language about setting up claude-mem on Cursor, and it should match the request to this skill's description. Be specific about the setup you want, since the skill distinguishes between local and remote workers and between observer inference options.

If you are troubleshooting an existing install, say so and mention the problem, such as ports or provider settings. The skill includes those details.

• "Set up claude-mem in Cursor with a local worker."
• "Connect Cursor to a remote claude-mem server on my own host."
• "My claude-mem observer in Cursor needs host-login inference. Which port should it use?"

What should you check for safety and privacy?

This skill runs scripts and uses the network. The default observer setup sends inference through cmem.ai or OpenRouter, and the remote worker option sends data to a server. If you do not want a background worker process or outside network calls, this skill is not a good fit. Review the install commands before the agent runs them, and check which provider and server URL are set.

The skill needs a host login for the local host-login observer option. Only enter the CLAUDE_MEM_MCP_TOKEN value if you intend to use the remote worker.

• Scripts: yes. Network: yes.
• Default inference leaves your data flowing to cmem.ai or OpenRouter.
• Remote worker sends data to the server you specify.
• Keep the worker port free; the shim uses 37778 on macOS.