How To Know Mem Is Working

Mem is working when you can point to one result and say:

• that came from my own knowledge
• that thread was really captured
• that tool really used my saved context

This page is for proving that, quickly.

The Core Test

Before testing any connector, prove the app loop first:

If You Use The App Only

You should be able to do all three:

• save a memory in the Timeline
• search for it again
• ask a question that is answered from your own knowledge

If that loop works, the base product is working.

If You Use The Browser Extension

Mem is working when all of these are true:

• the extension can open its side panel
• connection testing succeeds if you are using remote access
• one captured or distilled web conversation shows up in Mem
• you can open that saved result from the app as a memory or a thread

If you have not reached that state yet, go to the Browser Extension guide.

If You Use A Coding Assistant

Mem is working when your tool can use context you already saved.

Try this:

1. Save a short decision in Mem, such as your preferred caching approach.
2. Open your coding assistant through its dedicated connector.
3. Ask a question that should benefit from that saved context.

Examples:

• "What did I decide about caching for this service?"
• "Continue the approach I used before for authentication."
• "Search my prior decisions about Redis."

You have a real working connection when the tool recalls your knowledge instead of asking you to restate everything from scratch.

Use the matching guide:

• Claude Code
• Cursor
• Gemini CLI
• Copilot CLI
• OpenClaw
• Alma
• Codex

If You Use AI Now

AI Now is working when:

• your Remote LLM is configured if required for the feature you are using
• you ask a question about your own saved knowledge
• the answer is grounded in your memories, files, or enabled plugins rather than sounding generic

If AI Now cannot start or cannot answer from your saved context, check AI Now and Troubleshooting.

If You Use Mem Across Multiple Devices

Your sync setup is working when all of these are true:

• the second device connects successfully with the same Mem URL and API key
• a memory or thread created on one client appears on the other client
• search results on both clients reflect the same knowledge base

If you are unsure what model Mem uses here, read Sync Across Devices. For setup details, read Access Anywhere.

Good Signs

• Search returns your own wording, decisions, or references
• A captured conversation appears in Threads
• Your connected tool can recall a prior decision without you pasting it again
• AI Now can answer based on your saved knowledge

Warning Signs

• You only get generic model output with no sign of your saved context
• You configured many paths, but none produced one visible result
• You are testing MCP or CLI before verifying the app itself
• You expect browser capture, coding-agent save, and AI Now to all prove themselves at the same time

If It Still Feels Unclear

Go back to one path only:

1. Start Here
2. Save one memory in the Timeline
3. Verify the app loop
4. Connect only one real tool

Next Steps

• Start Here: Pick the right first path
• Getting Started: Learn the Timeline workflow
• Connectors: Connect the right tool the right way
• Sync Across Devices: Understand the single-Mem, multi-client sync model
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose startup, connection, and session issues