SpecStory vs Mantra
SpecStory vs Mantra: AI coding session capture
SpecStory and Mantra both capture AI coding sessions across tools like Cursor and Claude Code so you do not lose the conversation behind your code. SpecStory auto-saves prompts alongside generated code as searchable markdown in your repo, adds Cloud sync across machines, and ships installable Agent Skills. Mantra focuses on a visual timeline with replay and full-text search, free locally.
| Feature | SpecStory | Mantra |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-tool capture (Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, more) | Yes | Yes |
| Saves as git-friendly markdown in your repo | Yes | Timeline and search UI |
| Cloud sync and shared search across machines | Yes, opt-in | Local-first |
| Installable Agent Skills for your coding agent | Yes | No |
| Local and private by default | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free CLI and extensions, paid Cloud | Free local tier |
The bottom line
Pick Mantra if you mainly want a local visual timeline to browse and replay sessions. Pick SpecStory if you want sessions saved as markdown in your repo, shared search via Cloud, and Agent Skills your coding agent can run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to save Claude Code or Cursor session history?
Both SpecStory and Mantra capture sessions across tools. SpecStory writes them to searchable markdown in your project so they live alongside your code and can be committed to git.
Is SpecStory private?
Yes. Sessions save locally to .specstory/history in your project. Cloud sync is opt-in and under your control.
Which tools does SpecStory support?
Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex CLI, Cursor CLI, and Droid CLI.