---
title: Claude Desktop and claude.ai
description: Add openmemory to Claude Desktop or claude.ai as a custom connector with a request header, or through the mcp-remote bridge when request headers are not available.
---

<!--
Verified November 2026 against:
- https://claude.com/docs/connectors/custom/add-unlisted.md
- https://claude.com/docs/connectors/building/authentication.md
- https://github.com/geelen/mcp-remote (README)
Static request headers on custom connectors are a beta that not every organization has.
-->

openmemory authenticates with a static header (`Authorization: Bearer om_...`). It does not use OAuth. There are two ways to connect Claude's apps.

## Option A: custom connector with a request header

Custom connectors can send static request headers, as a beta that is available to some organizations.

1. Create a space and copy its key (see [Quickstart](/docs/quickstart)).
2. In Claude, open **Customize > Connectors > Add custom connector**. On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner adds connectors for the organization.
3. Enter the URL `https://mcp.openmemory.sh`.
4. Set authentication to **No sign-in**, then add a **Request header**:
   - Header: `authorization`
   - Value: `Bearer om_...` (include the word `Bearer` and the space)
5. Save, then enable the connector in a chat and ask Claude to call `get_context`.

Header values cannot be edited later. To change the key, remove the connector and add it again. If you do not see a request-header option, your organization does not have the beta. Use option B.

## Option B: Claude Desktop with mcp-remote

[mcp-remote](https://github.com/geelen/mcp-remote) runs locally and forwards to a remote MCP server with any headers you give it. It needs Node.js. Edit `claude_desktop_config.json` (Settings > Developer > Edit Config):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openmemory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["mcp-remote", "https://mcp.openmemory.sh", "--header", "Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}"],
      "env": { "AUTH_HEADER": "Bearer om_..." }
    }
  }
}
```

Keep the key in `env` as shown. Some clients, including Claude Desktop on Windows, do not escape spaces inside `args`, so `Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}` has no space and the value with the space lives in `env`.

Restart Claude Desktop, then ask Claude to call `get_context`.

## Related

- [MCP tools](/docs/mcp-tools)
- [Agent quickstart](/docs/agent-quickstart)