Darwin RAG

Name: Darwin RAG
Author: Brightdotdev

by Brightdotdevversion 0.2.18i★ 3iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.Brightdotdev/darwin-rag

How to install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Local-first RAG engine with MCP server for AI agent integration.

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Search & AI memory
You need to fill in: OPENAI_API_KEY, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, GEMINI_API_KEY

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Passed 2/2 checks · Runs on your computer

First: which AI do you use?

ClaudeWeb · app · phoneChatGPTWebClaude CodeTerminalCursorCode editorVS CodeCode editorOtherOther apps

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude, with some setup first

You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone

Install Python (uv)
One time only; it works for every server that needs Python (uv)
Open the Python (uv) download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file
SettingsDeveloperEdit Config
Done

Paste these settings and save the file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "darwin-rag": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "darwin-rag",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "GEMINI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "DARWIN_BASE_DIR": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone

Done

Quit Claude and open it again
Done
Try it
Use Darwin RAG and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using Darwin RAG or shows a Darwin RAG tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

ChatGPT cannot connect Darwin RAG yet

Darwin RAG runs on your computer, but ChatGPT can only connect servers that run on the web

What you can do instead

A · Use an app that can connect Darwin RAG

Steps for Claude →You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone
Steps for Claude Code →You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)
Steps for Cursor →You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)
Steps for VS Code →You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

B · Others in Search & AI memory that work with ChatGPT

Picked from the most used in the same category, only ones that connect by address with no key

AIHOT✓ ChatGPT
Sui Knowledge Base (kapa.ai)✓ ChatGPT
Exa✓ ChatGPT

Works with Claude Code, with some setup first

You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

Install Python (uv)
One time only; it works for every server that needs Python (uv)
Open the Python (uv) download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done

Paste this command and press Enter

claude mcp add darwin-rag --env OPENAI_API_KEY=your-value --env ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-value --env GEMINI_API_KEY=your-value --env DARWIN_BASE_DIR=your-value -- uvx darwin-rag mcp

Replace “your-value” with your key before pressing Enter

Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone

Done

Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see Darwin RAG listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use Darwin RAG and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using Darwin RAG or shows a Darwin RAG tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor, with some setup first

You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

Install Python (uv)
One time only; it works for every server that needs Python (uv)
Open the Python (uv) download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Click this button to open Cursor
Open in Cursor
Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Fill in your key
In the Darwin RAG settings, OPENAI_API_KEY, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, GEMINI_API_KEY, DARWIN_BASE_DIR is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Darwin RAG and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using Darwin RAG or shows a Darwin RAG tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code, with some setup first

You need a Darwin RAG key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Python (uv) on your computer first (one time)

Install Python (uv)
One time only; it works for every server that needs Python (uv)
Open the Python (uv) download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Click this button to open VS Code
Open in VS Code
VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Fill in your key
In the Darwin RAG settings, OPENAI_API_KEY, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, GEMINI_API_KEY, DARWIN_BASE_DIR is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Darwin RAG and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using Darwin RAG or shows a Darwin RAG tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use Darwin RAG💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add darwin-rag --env OPENAI_API_KEY=your-value --env ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your-value --env GEMINI_API_KEY=your-value --env DARWIN_BASE_DIR=your-value -- uvx darwin-rag mcp

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "darwin-rag": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "darwin-rag",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "GEMINI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "DARWIN_BASE_DIR": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "darwin-rag": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "darwin-rag",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "GEMINI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "DARWIN_BASE_DIR": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "darwin-rag": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "darwin-rag",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "GEMINI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "DARWIN_BASE_DIR": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Values you fill in

OPENAI_API_KEY secret env
OpenAI API key for LLM answer generation
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY secret env
Anthropic API key for LLM answer generation
GEMINI_API_KEY secret env
Google Gemini API key
DARWIN_BASE_DIR env
Override the base data directory

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 3
Downloads per weeki: 48/wk
Licence i: No licence stated
Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Latest versioni: 0.2.18
Categoryi: Search & AI memory
Published to registryi: Aug 27, 2026
Code last changedi: Oct 14, 2026
Maker: Brightdotdev
Packages: pypi: darwin-rag
Repo: Brightdotdev/DARWIN
Registry status: Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Run on your computer in

Claude Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Raycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 11, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account Brightdotdev, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed 27 days ago
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

User reviews

No reviews yet

Compared with others in Search & AI memoryi

More stars than 85% of the other 5884 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 33% of the other 5884 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 5884 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Darwin RAG safe?

It passed 2 of 2 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

You need to fill in: OPENAI_API_KEY, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, GEMINI_API_KEY

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed 27 days ago, and the latest version (0.2.18) reached the registry 3 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Python (uv) on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Ruflo, Context7, Metabase

Alternatives

Servers in the same category from other makers, sorted by stars.

Reading a card:↓ Downloads per weeki★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

Ruflo

Agent teams, swarms, memory and hooks for Claude Code and Codex, served over MCP.

by ruvnetWidely used↓ 74.3K/wk★ 81.4KUpdated today

Runs on your computer

Install

Context7

Feeds AI the latest docs for libraries and frameworks before it answers, so code it writes does not use outdated, removed functions.

by upstashWidely used↓ 1.2M/wk★ 64.4KUpdated yesterday

Computer or cloud

Install

Metabase

Lets AI clients search, explore, query, and visualize data in a Metabase instance.

by metabaseWidely used★ 50.3KUpdated 6 months ago

Runs in the cloud

Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

Darwin RAG

Search your own documents with any AI agent, privately, on your own machine.

Darwin is a local-first RAG engine that ingests documents, indexes them with BM25 + dense embeddings, and exposes search through an MCP server. Point Claude, Cursor, or any MCP client at it and your agent can search your PDFs, notes, spreadsheets, and web pages without sending them to a cloud index.

One-time internet is needed to download models during setup. After that, search and indexing run fully offline.

Ingestion: PDF, Markdown, HTML, images (OCR), CSV, Excel, ODS, URLs
Indexing: BM25 keyword + dense embedding hybrid index with configurable chunking strategies
Search: Hybrid, semantic, or keyword retrieval with reranking, diversity rerank, and structural penalties
Generation: LLM-backed answer synthesis via LiteLLM (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, etc.)
Observability: Structured logging with per-session history, queryable via MCP
Isolation: Multiple independent stores for tenant/project separation
Deployment: stdio (AI agent subprocess), SSE, or Streamable HTTP; Docker-ready
Local-first: Everything runs locally, fully offline-capable after setup

Built by BrightDotDev.

Why Darwin?

Private by default. Your documents stay on your machine.
Works with your agent. Standard MCP server: Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other MCP clients.
Search that fits the question. Keyword for exact terms, semantic for meaning, hybrid when unsure.
Light to start. The required preset downloads just one embedding model.

Quick Start

1. Install

pip install darwin-rag

2. Set up models

# Interactive: detects hardware, pick your models

darwin-admin setup interactive

Or one-shot (embedding-only, no prompts)

darwin-admin setup --preset required

3. Start the MCP server & connect

# stdio mode: for AI agent subprocess (Claude Desktop, Cursor, etc.)

darwin mcp

Or HTTP mode: for remote clients

darwin mcp --http --port 8765

Configure your MCP client:

"mcpServers": { "darwin": { "command": "darwin", "args": ["mcp"], "env": { "OPENAI_API_KEY": "sk-..." // At least one LLM provider key } } } }

Or generate config automatically:

darwin config claude          # Claude Desktop config

darwin config cursor # Cursor config darwin config all --copy # All clients + copy to clipboard

4. Try it

Ask your agent: *"Ingest ./my-notes with Darwin, then find everything I wrote about ."*

Use it as an agent skill

Darwin ships with a skill (skills/darwin-rag/SKILL.md) that tells agents *when* and *how* to use the MCP tools: check what's indexed, ingest, pick a search mode, and answer from sources. Copy the darwin-rag folder into your agent's skills directory (for Claude Code: ~/.claude/skills/).

MCP Tools

Tool	Description
`search_darwin`	Query the knowledge base with hybrid/semantic/keyword search
`search_lists`	Search structured data (CSVs, JSON arrays) by field values
`get_search_results`	List saved search results
`get_search_result_by_id`	Load a saved search result by filename
`get_schema`	Inspect schemas for structured files (keys, types, record counts)
`run_pipeline`	Ingest + index documents from a path or URL
`purge_artifacts`	Delete pipeline artifacts for specific files
`create_store`	Create a new isolated data store
`list_files`	List all tracked files with pipeline status
`file_status`	Detailed status for a single file across all stages
`get_logs`	Query session logs (oldest first, INFO excluded)

Full documentation: docs/mcp.md

Remote / HTTP Mode

Start the server on a network-accessible endpoint:

# SSE transport (legacy)

darwin mcp --sse --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8765

Streamable HTTP transport (recommended for production)

darwin mcp --http --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8765

Configure your MCP client with the URL:

"mcpServers": { "darwin": { "url": "http://your-host:8765/mcp" // or /sse for SSE mode } } }

Environment Variables

Variable	Required	Description
`OPENAI_API_KEY`	No*	OpenAI provider key
`ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`	No*	Anthropic provider key
`GEMINI_API_KEY`	No*	Google Gemini provider key
`MISTRAL_API_KEY`	No*	Mistral AI provider key
`GROQ_API_KEY`	No*	Groq provider key
`COHERE_API_KEY`	No*	Cohere provider key
`TOGETHER_API_KEY`	No*	Together AI provider key
`OPENROUTER_API_KEY`	No*	OpenRouter provider key
`DEEPSEEK_API_KEY`	No*	DeepSeek provider key
`DARWIN_BASE_DIR`	No	Override the base data directory
`NO_COLOR`	No	Set to any value to disable ANSI color output

*\* At least one LLM provider key is required for answer generation. Search/indexing works without any.*

Setup Details

Command	What it does
`darwin-admin setup interactive`	Guided setup: detect hardware, choose models
`darwin-admin setup --preset required`	Download embedding model only (fastest)
`darwin-admin setup --preset recommended`	Embedding + reranker + OCR models
`darwin-admin setup logging`	Reconfigure logging only
`darwin-admin setup validate`	Validate current setup

See docs/setup.md for the full walkthrough including Docker, from-source install, and API key configuration.

CLI Reference

`darwin`: User CLI

Command	Description
`darwin mcp`	Start MCP server (stdio, `--sse` or `--http` for network)
`darwin config [client]`	Generate MCP client config

`darwin-admin`: Power-user CLI

Command	Description
`darwin-admin setup`	Setup models, logging, and configuration
`darwin-admin status`	System status overview
`darwin-admin models`	Model registry: list, install, switch, keys
`darwin-admin store`	Data store: status, files, audit, health, repair
`darwin-admin pipeline`	Ingestion pipeline: run, ingest, index, purge
`darwin-admin search`	Interactive search
`darwin-admin logs`	Structured log viewer and management
`darwin-admin system`	System information
`darwin-admin uninstall`	Remove Darwin data and configuration

See docs/admin.md for the full command reference.

Python API

For embedding darwin-rag as a library in your own app:

from core import Darwin

d = Darwin() d.ingest("./papers", recursive=True) results = d.search("what is this paper about") records = d.search_records(filters={"status": "active"})

Full reference: docs/api.md

Documentation

Doc	What
setup.md	Full setup walkthrough
mcp.md	MCP server, tools, resources, transports
admin.md	Admin CLI reference
architecture.md	For developers and contributors
pipeline.md	Ingestion & indexing
retrieval.md	Search engine
storage.md	DarwinStore
models.md	Model registry & inference
logger.md	Structured logging
orchestrators.md	High-level business logic
api.md	Python API (Darwin class)

Contributing

Found a bug? Want to add something? You're welcome here.

Issues: open one at github.com/BrightDotDev/DARWIN/issues
Code: fork, branch, PR. Keep it minimal.
AI-generated code is fine, but you own what you ship. Test it before submitting.

Read CONTRIBUTING.md for the full guidelines.

License

MIT. See LICENSE.

Core architecture and implementation by BrightDotDev.

Darwin RAG

Overview

What you can do with it

Install

Install Python (uv)

Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key

Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file

Paste these settings and save the file

Quit Claude and open it again

Try it

What you can do instead

Install Python (uv)

Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Install Python (uv)

Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key

Click this button to open Cursor

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Install Python (uv)

Sign up and create a Darwin RAG key

Click this button to open VS Code

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Installed on your computer

Values you fill in

At a glance

Which apps can use it

Related guides

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Discussion

User reviews

Compared with others in Search & AI memoryi

Common questions

Alternatives

Ruflo

Context7

Metabase

README from the maker

Darwin RAG

Why Darwin?

Quick Start

1. Install

2. Set up models

Or one-shot (embedding-only, no prompts)

3. Start the MCP server & connect

Or HTTP mode: for remote clients

4. Try it

Use it as an agent skill

MCP Tools

Remote / HTTP Mode

Streamable HTTP transport (recommended for production)

Environment Variables

Setup Details

CLI Reference

Python API

Documentation

Contributing

License