How do I set up Screenpipe with Claude Desktop?

After installing Screenpipe, run 'claude mcp add screenpipe -- npx -y screenpipe-mcp' in the CLI, then ask Claude questions about your screen history. This integrates it as an MCP server with zero configuration, as per the README.

Is Screenpipe better than Rewind.ai for privacy?

Yes, Screenpipe is 100% local and open-source, while Rewind.ai requires cloud storage. Screenpipe uses local AI models like Ollama and offers end-to-end encrypted sync only as an option, ensuring full data ownership.

Can Screenpipe record audio from Zoom meetings?

Yes, it captures system audio and microphone input in real-time using local Whisper transcription, supporting any audio source including Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams, with speaker identification and diarization.

What are the differences between Screenpipe and Microsoft Recall?

Screenpipe is cross-platform (macOS, Windows, Linux), open-source, and offers local AI processing, while Recall is Windows-only, proprietary, and lacks audio transcription. Screenpipe also has a plugin system and MCP integration for developers.

How to create a custom pipe for automating tasks?

Write a markdown file with a prompt and schedule in '~/.screenpipe/pipes/', using YAML frontmatter for data permissions. Screenpipe runs AI agents that query your screen data and call APIs, as described in the plugin system section.

Screenpipe

NOASSERTIONRustapp-v2.4.37

An open-source AI memory tool that captures your screen and audio locally, enabling search and automation agents based on your computer activity.

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What is Screenpipe?

Screenpipe is an open-source AI memory tool that captures your screen and audio activity locally, creating a searchable record of everything you see and hear on your computer. It solves the problem of forgetting important information by providing AI-powered search and enabling automation agents that work based on your activity. All data is stored on your device, ensuring privacy and control.

Target Audience

Knowledge workers, developers, researchers, remote workers, and teams who need to recall computer activity, automate workflows, and integrate AI assistants with their screen context while maintaining data privacy.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Screenpipe for its 100% local data storage, open-source transparency, and powerful plugin system that allows deterministic AI data permissions. It offers a private alternative to cloud-based tools with event-driven capture that minimizes resource usage.

Overview

Run agents that work for you based on what you do. AI finally knows what you are doing

Use Cases

Best For

Giving AI coding assistants context about current work via MCP integration

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Creating a searchable memory of meetings and conversations with local transcription

Automating workflows with scheduled AI agents triggered by screen activity

Deploying AI across teams with centralized config and data permission controls

Building private alternatives to commercial screen recording and AI memory services

Researchers needing to semantically search through large volumes of screen-based information

Not Ideal For

Organizations with strict compliance policies that prohibit screen recording software
Users on older or low-spec machines with less than 8GB RAM as recommended
Projects requiring real-time, cloud-based collaboration on screen data
Individuals unwilling to pay the $400 one-time fee for the desktop app

Pros & Cons

Pros

Event-Driven Efficiency

Only captures screenshots on meaningful OS events like app switches or typing pauses, reducing CPU usage to 5-10% and storage to ~20GB/month, as stated in the specs.

Local-First Privacy

All data is stored locally on your device with optional encrypted sync, and supports local AI models like Ollama, ensuring no data leaves your machine without consent.

Powerful Automation via Pipes

Plugin system allows scheduled AI agents defined in markdown files to query screen data and take actions, with per-pipe YAML-based data permissions for deterministic control.

Seamless AI Integration

Runs as an MCP server, enabling AI assistants like Claude Desktop and Cursor to directly query your screen history with zero configuration, as shown in the install instructions.

Cons

High Initial Cost

The desktop app requires a one-time $400 purchase for lifetime access, which is a significant barrier compared to free or subscription-based alternatives.

Complex Linux Setup

Linux support requires building from source, unlike macOS and Windows which have native installers, making installation less straightforward for non-technical users.

Resource Intensive

Uses 0.5-3GB RAM and 5-10% CPU continuously, which might impact performance on systems with limited resources or during heavy multitasking.

Open Source Alternative To

Screenpipe is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Granola is a macOS app for managing window layouts and organizing desktop workspaces with keyboard shortcuts.

L

Limitless

Limitless is an AI-powered productivity tool that provides meeting recording, transcription, and summarization features to help users capture and organize information.

R

Rewind.ai

Rewind.ai is a platform that captures and organizes everything you see, say, or hear on your computer to create a searchable memory of your work.

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