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Connect ModelBrain to LM Studio

LM Studio keeps MCP servers in an mcp.json file that it opens for you from the Program tab, so connecting ModelBrain means adding one entry to it.

ModelBrain runs on your own computer and LM Studio runs the model on your own computer too, so this pairing can keep both halves local. It only works with a model that can call tools, so a model that cannot will look as if ModelBrain is broken.

Where the program lives

This client needs the full path to ModelBrain's mcp_server program. The commands and snippets on this page show the macOS path; on Windows or Linux, put the path for your system in the same place. Write the full path rather than a variable such as %LOCALAPPDATA% or ~, because a client may not expand it.

macOS

/Applications/ModelBrain.app/Contents/MacOS/mcp_server

Windows

C:\Users\you\AppData\Local\Programs\ModelBrain\mcp_server.exe (that is %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\ModelBrain\mcp_server.exe, with your own user name). Inside JSON, TOML or a quoted YAML string, double each backslash.

Linux

/home/you/.local/lib/modelbrain/mcp_server, with your own home folder. The install script puts ModelBrain in ~/.local/lib/modelbrain.

Steps

Install ModelBrain if you haven't yet (macOS, Windows or Linux).
Open the file from inside LM Studio. In the right-hand sidebar open the Program tab, click Install, and choose Edit mcp.json. The file lives at ~/.lmstudio/mcp.json.
Add ModelBrain under mcpServers. LM Studio says it follows Cursor's notation, which is a command entry. Keep any servers already listed.
```
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "modelbrain": {
      "command": "/Applications/ModelBrain.app/Contents/MacOS/mcp_server"
    }
  }
}
```
Save the file. LM Studio loads the server and lists its tools.
Pick a model that can call tools, then ask it to remember something. LM Studio shows a confirmation dialog before a tool runs, where you can review the arguments and allow it once or always. We suggest allowing it once at first.

Questions

Why does my model ignore ModelBrain?

Not every model can call tools. If the model never uses ModelBrain, try one whose description says it supports tool use.

Will LM Studio ask before using ModelBrain's tools?

Yes. It shows a confirmation dialog before a tool call runs, and you can allow it once or always. You can change the always allowed ones later in App Settings under Tools and Integrations.

How do I undo it?

Remove the modelbrain entry. Your memories are not stored in that file.

Has this been tested?

We have tested this configuration against sample files and the ModelBrain setup code, but not yet by hand on a real install of LM Studio. If ModelBrain does not appear in LM Studio after you follow these steps, tell us through the Support page and we will fix this guide.

Not installed yet?

Start with the install guide.

Install ModelBrain →

Then

A 10-minute walkthrough: add a folder, ask something that needs two notes, see the citation.

Quickstart →