engram

MCP server · npm · ★ 9 · graded 2026-10-24Source linked

🧠 Persistent memory for AI agents. SQLite for agent state. Zero cloud dependencies. Local embeddings. MCP-native integration with Claude Desktop/Code, Cursor, Windsurf & more.

No outside reports on file

engram reads local files; restrict its folder reach, network access, and credentials before installing.

Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 24, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee.

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What it can access

Local filesReads & writes local foldersREVIEW
Command executionNo shell command runner notedLOW
Network reachConnects to outside service APINOTED
CredentialsNo API token requiredLOW
Package sourcenpm (@hbarefoot/engram)PUBLIC

Inferred from this listing’s public package details and description. Check the project’s source before installing.

Install

npx -y @hbarefoot/engram

All setup options ↓

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Everything known

We found nothing about this project in the sources we read (last checked 2026-10-30). That does not mean it has no problems.

0 incidents · 0 advisories · 0 news articles · 0 community threads · checked 2026-10-30

Popularity grade: C (from public signals such as stars and downloads, not a code review). Graded 2026-10-24.

Sources we read: OSV, GitHub Advisory Database, CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities, 44 security news feeds and our incident library. Last checked 2026-10-30.

Check a specific version →

About Engram

Engram is an MCP server focused on Developer tools and Data & databases: 🧠 Persistent memory for AI agents. SQLite for agent state. Zero cloud dependencies. Local embeddings. MCP-native integration with Claude Desktop/Code, Cursor, Windsurf & more.

It is published on npm as @hbarefoot/engram and hosted on GitHub at HBarefoot/engram (9 GitHub stars, 53 weekly npm downloads). Based on its public metadata, its operational scope includes: reads local files.

Setup

Check these steps against the project’s own instructions before running anything.

Run @hbarefoot/engram with --ignore-scripts in claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json:

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "engram": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "--ignore-scripts", "@hbarefoot/engram"]
    }
  }
}

Why this grade

CC — Moderate risk signals

Signal-based grade (2/7 points): listed in several sources, public source code. This reflects adoption and transparency, not a code review.

Popularity and upkeep

29/100

GitHub stars: 9
Weekly npm downloads: 53
Listing last refreshed: 2026-10-30

These are public popularity signals, not a maintenance check. Look at the repository’s commit history and open issues.

Risks to watch for

Local file read access: Reads local documents or database files. Point it only at the specific files needed for the task so sensitive workspace files remain out of reach.
Dependency & version pinning: Distributed via npm (@hbarefoot/engram). Pin an exact release version or commit SHA rather than floating tags so upstream updates are reviewed first.

How to lower the risk

Least-privilege permissions

Give it access only to the specific folders, accounts or projects it needs, never your whole drive or admin account.
Use a separate, limited API key or login just for this tool so you can switch it off without affecting anything else.

Network isolation

Run it on a work computer or sandbox account, not one holding personal or company-sensitive data.
If your IT team can, limit which websites and services it is allowed to contact.

Monitoring

Check its activity history or logs weekly at first, and look at what it changed or sent.
Turn on alerts for new logins or unusual usage on any account it connects to.

Red flags to watch for

It asks for more access than its job requires, or prompts you to paste passwords.
It suddenly updates with new owners, or starts contacting unfamiliar websites.

Questions

How do I install Engram?

Run npx -y @hbarefoot/engram in your terminal, or add the server entry to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json as shown in the Setup section on this page. Full setup docs and environment variables are in github.com/HBarefoot/engram.

Are there security reports about Engram?

No reports found for this package in our research (last checked 2026-10-30). Engram currently holds Grade C (Moderate risk signals) based on public adoption and transparency signals. Key risk areas to watch include local file read access:, dependency & version pinning:.

Is Engram actively maintained?

Engram has 9 GitHub stars and 53 weekly npm downloads. Our directory data was last refreshed on 2026-10-30. Check recent commit activity, release tags, and open issues at github.com/HBarefoot/engram before pinning it in production.

What are alternatives to Engram?

You can compare Engram side by side with other SQLite, Memory MCP servers in the Related tools section on this page, or use the Compare tool on AgentArmorHQ.

Maintain or use Engram? Show its live grade in your GitHub README, docs site, or run a check from the terminal before you install.

GitHub README Markdown:

markdown

[![AgentArmorHQ Risk Grade for Engram](https://agentarmorhq.com/api/badge/hbarefoot-engram)](https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/hbarefoot-engram)

HTML embed:

html

<a href="https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/hbarefoot-engram"><img src="https://agentarmorhq.com/api/badge/hbarefoot-engram" alt="AgentArmorHQ Risk Grade for Engram" height="20" /></a>

Terminal check:

terminal

curl -fsSL https://agentarmorhq.com/api/cli | node --input-type=module - check "hbarefoot-engram"

Share with your security lead

Need sign-off to use engram? Copy this note for Slack, a ticket or a pull request.

### AgentArmorHQ Security Review Memo: engram
- **Listing URL:** https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/hbarefoot-engram
- **Type:** App connector
- **Risk Grade:** Grade C (Moderate risk signals)
- **Outside Security Advisories on File:** 0
- **Public Adoption:** 9 GitHub stars, 53 weekly npm downloads

#### Permission & Blast-Radius Signals
- **Local files:** Reads & writes local folders
- **Command execution:** No shell command runner noted
- **Network reach:** Connects to outside service API
- **Credentials:** No API token required
- **Package source:** npm (@hbarefoot/engram)

#### Recommended Hardened Setup
- **Command:** `npx -y --ignore-scripts @hbarefoot/engram`
- **Controls:** Pin an exact version in `.mcp.json`, scope access to a single workspace folder, and use a least-privilege read-only token where supported.

_Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 24, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee._

Key facts

Type: App connector
Publisher: HBarefoot
Source code: github.com/HBarefoot/engram
Install command: npm install @hbarefoot/engram
Est. context load: ~700 tokens / turn (~4 tool schemas, 0.35% of 200k context)
Popularity: 9 GitHub stars, 53 weekly npm downloads
Last updated: 2026-10-30
Last graded: 2026-10-24

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