CortexMind

Connect ChatGPT and Claude

CortexMind runs on your computer. ChatGPT and Claude reach it through your CortexMind's private web address. Set it up once per service and it follows you wherever you are signed in: the website, the phone app and the desktop app.

Before you start

  • CortexMind is running: the brain icon in your menu bar or system tray says Running.
  • Open CortexMind's settings (Settings... in the tray menu). On the Connect tab you will copy two values: the Public URL (it looks like https://cm-xxxxxxxxxxxx.ethertunnel.com/mcp) and the CortexMind password.
  • Keep that computer on. When it sleeps, ChatGPT and Claude cannot reach your memory.

ChatGPT

Needs a paid plan: Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu. On a Business or Enterprise workspace, an admin may have to allow custom connectors first.

  1. On chatgpt.com, click your name at the bottom left, then Settings.
  2. Open Apps (it may be called Plugins or Connectors). Scroll to the bottom, open Advanced settings and turn on Developer mode. ChatGPT warns that this allows unverified connectors: that is expected, CortexMind is your own server.
  3. Close that window. In the sidebar, open Plugins, click Add at the top right, then choose Add custom MCP server.
  4. Name: CortexMind. Description: optional, for example “My long-term memory”. Connection: Server URL, then paste your Public URL.
  5. Authentication: leave OAuth selected. Tick “I understand and want to continue”, then click Create as a plugin.
  6. Click Connect CortexMind. A CortexMind sign-in page opens: paste your CortexMind password and click Authorize. Prefer a fixed key? Choose the access token / API key option under Authentication instead and paste your CortexMind password there.
  7. Teach it the habit: in Settings, open Personalization, then Custom instructions. Paste the AI instructions from the Instructions tab of CortexMind's settings (Copy button, in the app's language) and save.
  8. Test it: start a new chat and ask “What do you know about me?”. The first time, ChatGPT asks permission to use CortexMind: allow it. If it answers without checking your memory, click + in the message box and make sure CortexMind is turned on.

Claude

Works on every plan. The Free plan allows one custom connector; Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise allow more.

  1. On claude.ai, open Customize, then Connectors. On older layouts it is under Settings, then Connectors.
  2. Click Add, then Add custom connector.
  3. Name: CortexMind. MCP server URL: paste your Public URL. Click Continue.
  4. Click Connect next to CortexMind. A CortexMind sign-in page opens: paste your CortexMind password and click Authorize.
  5. Teach it the habit: open Settings > Account and find “Instructions for Claude”, the instructions Claude keeps for every chat (same place on claude.ai and in the desktop app). Paste the AI instructions from the Instructions tab of CortexMind's settings and save.
  6. Test it: start a new chat, click + at the bottom left, open Connectors and make sure CortexMind is on. Ask “What do you know about me?” and allow CortexMind when Claude asks. Choose “Always allow” to skip the question next time.

If something does not work

The connector will not connect.

Check that CortexMind says Running in your menu bar or tray. After a restart, give it a minute, then try again. Make sure you pasted the Public URL, not the Local URL.

It asks for a password and refuses mine.

Copy the CortexMind password again from the Connect tab of CortexMind's settings. It is not your license key and not your ChatGPT or Claude password.

It answers, but never uses my memory.

Start a new chat, check that the connector is turned on for it, and check that the AI instructions are saved in your custom instructions. Without them, the AI only uses its memory when it feels like it.

It worked yesterday and stopped today.

Your computer is probably asleep or CortexMind is not running. Wake it up, wait until the icon says Running, then start a new chat.

Using Claude Code, Codex or Cursor instead? Those run on your computer and connect differently: see the setup guide. Open the setup guide