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Side-by-side MCP evidence comparison
Evidence fieldBasic MemoryWatchlist candidateExcel MCP ServerMCP100 Selected
Task fit
Best for
  • Users who want persistent, inspectable AI memory backed by local notes or an optional cloud workspace.
  • Reading, creating, formatting, charting, and updating XLSX workbooks and worksheets, including formulas and pivot tables
Not ideal for
  • Users who need a broadly proven, low-risk, fully mature Selected-grade integration today.
  • Workbooks that depend on full desktop Excel behavior, macros, or manual visual review
Avoid when
  • Avoid high-impact or sensitive production use unless the documented authentication, permissions, rollback, and data handling match your environment.
  • You cannot restrict file access or are using a version affected by CVE-2026-40576
Provenance
Provenance details

First-party MCP

io.github.basicmachines-co · Publisher source ↗

Community implementation

Haris Musa · Publisher source ↗

Maintenance
Maintenance details

Stale

Repo: Not documented

Package: Not documented

Repo: Apr 12, 2026

Package: Apr 12, 2026

Popularity evidence
GitHub starsNot documented

4,108

GitHub stars · checked 2026-08-14T18:46:26.000Z

Package downloads / 30 daysNo reliable download data

225,905

package downloads / 30 days · checked 2026-09-08

Client coverage
Client coverage detailsNot documented
Claude Code✓ Local stdio
Claude Desktop✓ Local stdio
Codex✓ Local stdio
VS Code✓ Local stdio
Cursor✓ Local stdio
OpenCode✓ Local stdio
Client coverage noteLocal stdio runs on your computer. Streamable HTTP connects to a remotely hosted MCP server.
Access and data
AuthenticationLocal mode can operate without hosted auth; cloud mode uses the Basic Memory account/workspace connection.Local stdio has no separate service authentication. Remote MCP authentication is not documented, so remote listeners must remain network-restricted.
CostLocal open-source use is available; cloud service pricing is publisher-defined.The MIT-licensed local server lists no usage fee; normal hosting, client, model, and network costs may apply.
PermissionsCan mutate or delete memory notes/projects exposed to the configured Basic Memory project.The server can read, create, modify, format, chart, and delete workbook content. Remote modes confine relative paths to EXCEL_FILES_PATH in the patched release.
Data handlingLocal mode stores memory in local Markdown/project data; cloud routing can synchronize/store content in Basic Memory Cloud.Workbook paths and spreadsheet content are processed by the server and returned to the connected client as required by tool calls; publisher telemetry and retention are not documented.
Limitations
Tradeoffs
  • Persistent write/delete memory authority and cloud/local synchronization need stronger governance evidence for Selected.
  • It provides deep spreadsheet manipulation without desktop Excel, but write tools can overwrite data and remote transports add network and filesystem exposure.
Risk contextPersistent write/delete memory authority and cloud/local synchronization need stronger governance evidence for Selected.Versions through 0.1.7 have a critical path-traversal vulnerability. Use 0.1.8 or later, prefer stdio, restrict workbook paths, avoid public remote listeners, and keep recoverable backups.
Evidence date
Editorial review2026-09-13T00:00:00Z2026-08-13
Candidate evidence2026-09-13T00:00:00Z2026-08-14T18:46:26.000Z

Popularity, maintenance, fit, permissions, and client support are independent evidence fields.

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