Snapshot MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for saving and resuming Claude conversations with token-efficient context preservation.

What is this?

A modular snapshot tool that works standalone or integrates with larger memory systems. Save conversation state, resume work across sessions, and organize multiple snapshots with minimal token overhead.

Key features:

• Token-efficient continuation prompts (~20-30% reduction vs raw context)
• Structured or simple context input
• Works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, any MCP client
• Designed for composability with memory/personality systems

Installation

Quick Start (Recommended)

Step 1: Run the installer:

npx @whenmoon-afk/snapshot-mcp-server

Step 2: Restart Claude Desktop (quit and reopen completely)

That's it! The installer automatically configures your Claude Desktop.

Manual Setup

If you prefer to configure manually, add to your Claude Desktop config file:

Config File Location:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "snapshot": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@whenmoon-afk/snapshot-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "snapshot": {
      "command": "cmd",
      "args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "@whenmoon-afk/snapshot-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

Note: Windows requires the cmd /c wrapper to execute npx properly.

Then restart Claude Desktop.

Usage

Save snapshot:

Save a snapshot with:
- summary: "Built REST API"
- context: "Express server, MongoDB, all CRUD working"
- next_steps: "Add auth"

Resume work:

Load latest snapshot

Named snapshots:

Save snapshot named "v1-complete" with summary: "MVP deployed" and context: "..."
Load snapshot named "v1-complete"

Manage:

List all snapshots
Delete snapshot 5

Features

• Token-efficient prompts - Pre-generated, optimized continuation prompts
• Flexible context - Simple strings or structured objects
• Named snapshots - Save milestones for easy retrieval
• Cross-client - Works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, etc.
• Composable - Integrates with memory/personality systems
• Local storage - Your data stays on your machine (SQLite)

Structured context example:

context: {
  files: ["src/auth.ts"],
  decisions: ["JWT with 24h expiration"],
  blockers: ["Need email verification"],
  code_state: { tests_passing: true }
}

Tools

• save_snapshot - Save conversation state
• load_snapshot - Resume from snapshot (latest, by ID, or by name)
• list_snapshots - View all snapshots
• delete_snapshot - Remove snapshots

Example Workflow

End of day:

Save a snapshot:
- summary: "Implemented JWT auth"
- context: "Login/signup working, JWT middleware done, tests passing"
- next_steps: "Add password reset"

Next session:

Load latest snapshot

Claude resumes with full context.

Troubleshooting

Tools not showing?

1. Restart Claude Desktop completely (quit and reopen)
2. Verify config file is correct
3. Ensure Node.js 18+ is installed: node --version

Server issues?

• Reinstall: npx @whenmoon-afk/snapshot-mcp-server
• Check client logs for errors
• Reset: delete config entry and reinstall

Technical Details

Stack: SQLite + TypeScript + MCP SDK 1.0.4 (Node.js 18+)

Database location:

• macOS: ~/.claude-snapshots/snapshots.db
• Windows: %APPDATA%/claude-snapshots/snapshots.db
• Linux: ~/.local/share/claude-snapshots/snapshots.db

Development:

git clone https://github.com/WhenMoon-afk/snapshot-mcp-server.git
cd snapshot-mcp-server
npm install
npm run build

License

MIT

Contributing

Issues and PRs welcome! See CHANGELOG.md for version history.

Modular conversation state for AI assistants.