Open WebUI

February 25, 2026 · View on GitHub

A minimal setup where mnemory enhances any Open WebUI model with persistent memory.

Setup

  1. Add mnemory as an MCP server in Open WebUI:

    • Admin Settings > External Tools > Add Server
    • Type: MCP (Streamable HTTP)
    • URL: http://mnemory:8050/mcp
    • Auth: Bearer, Key: your-api-key
    • Custom headers: X-Agent-Id: open-webui

  2. Enable function calling on your model:

    • Workspace > Models > Advanced Params > Function Calling: Native

  3. For multi-user setups, enable user info forwarding:

    # Open WebUI environment
ENABLE_FORWARD_USER_INFO_HEADERS=true

# mnemory environment
MCP_API_KEYS='{"shared-openwebui-key": "*"}'

System Prompt

Important: Open WebUI does not inject MCP server instructions into the LLM's system prompt — it only exposes tool descriptions. You need to tell the LLM to initialize memory.

You are a helpful assistant.

Always call initialize_memory at the start of each conversation and follow received instructions for further memory interactions.

The initialize_memory tool returns behavioral instructions and core memories in one call, so the LLM knows how to use all memory tools effectively.

With personality flavor

You are a helpful assistant. You are friendly, concise, and practical.
You remember things about the user across conversations and use that
context to give better, more personalized answers.

Always call initialize_memory at the start of each conversation and follow received instructions for further memory interactions.

How It Works

  1. Conversation start: The LLM calls initialize_memory, which returns:
    • Behavioral instructions (how to use memory tools)
    • Core memories (pinned user facts, recent context)
  2. During conversation: Following the instructions, the LLM searches memories before answering relevant questions and stores new information the user shares.
  3. Over time: The agent builds up knowledge about the user — preferences, facts, projects, decisions — making every conversation more personalized.

Notes

  • The X-Agent-Id: open-webui header means agent-scoped memories (like agent identity) are tied to Open WebUI. Other clients (Claude Code, Cursor) have their own agent scope but share user memories.
  • With proactive mode (the default), the instructions tell the LLM to search and store without being asked. If you prefer manual control, set INSTRUCTION_MODE=passive on the mnemory server.
  • All user memories are shared across agents by default. Only agent-scoped memories (identity, agent-specific preferences) are isolated.
  • For clients that DO inject MCP server instructions (Claude Code, Cursor), you can skip initialize_memory and call get_core_memories directly.