diff --git a/cursor-hooks/QUICKSTART.md b/cursor-hooks/QUICKSTART.md
index db36c4eb..26661890 100644
--- a/cursor-hooks/QUICKSTART.md
+++ b/cursor-hooks/QUICKSTART.md
@@ -3,9 +3,15 @@
 ## What This Does
 
 Connects claude-mem to Cursor so that:
-- ✅ Agent actions (MCP tools, shell commands, file edits) are automatically saved
-- ✅ Context from past sessions is automatically injected via `.cursor/rules/`
-- ✅ Sessions are summarized for future reference
+- Agent actions (MCP tools, shell commands, file edits) are automatically saved
+- Context from past sessions is automatically injected via `.cursor/rules/`
+- Sessions are summarized for future reference
+
+## Don't Have Claude Code?
+
+If you're using Cursor without Claude Code, see [STANDALONE-SETUP.md](STANDALONE-SETUP.md) for setup with free-tier providers like Gemini or OpenRouter.
+
+---
 
 ## Installation (1 minute)
 
@@ -20,6 +26,24 @@ claude-mem cursor install user
 claude-mem cursor status
 ```
 
+## Configure Provider (Required for Standalone)
+
+If you don't have Claude Code, configure a provider for AI summarization:
+
+```bash
+# Option A: Gemini (free tier available - recommended)
+claude-mem settings set CLAUDE_MEM_PROVIDER gemini
+claude-mem settings set CLAUDE_MEM_GEMINI_API_KEY your-api-key
+
+# Option B: OpenRouter (free models available)
+claude-mem settings set CLAUDE_MEM_PROVIDER openrouter
+claude-mem settings set CLAUDE_MEM_OPENROUTER_API_KEY your-api-key
+```
+
+**Get free API keys**:
+- Gemini: https://aistudio.google.com/apikey
+- OpenRouter: https://openrouter.ai/keys
+
 ## Start Worker
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/cursor-hooks/README.md b/cursor-hooks/README.md
index 6dea21eb..68c5cdc1 100644
--- a/cursor-hooks/README.md
+++ b/cursor-hooks/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,14 @@
 
 This directory contains Cursor hooks that connect claude-mem to Cursor, enabling persistent memory across Cursor sessions.
 
+## Quick Start for Cursor Users
+
+**Using Claude Code?** Skip to [Installation](#installation) - everything works automatically.
+
+**Cursor-only (no Claude Code)?** See [STANDALONE-SETUP.md](STANDALONE-SETUP.md) for free-tier options using Gemini or OpenRouter.
+
+---
+
 ## Overview
 
 The hooks bridge Cursor's hook system to claude-mem's worker API, allowing:
@@ -172,8 +180,7 @@ Install on Ubuntu: `apt-get install jq curl`
 
 3. Restart worker:
    ```bash
-   cd ~/.claude/plugins/marketplaces/thedotmack
-   npm run worker:restart
+   claude-mem restart
    ```
 
 ### Observations not being saved
diff --git a/cursor-hooks/STANDALONE-SETUP.md b/cursor-hooks/STANDALONE-SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3cabf255
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cursor-hooks/STANDALONE-SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+# Claude-Mem for Cursor (No Claude Code Required)
+
+## Overview
+
+Use claude-mem's persistent memory in Cursor without a Claude Code subscription. Choose between free-tier providers (Gemini, OpenRouter) or paid options.
+
+**What You Get**:
+- AI memory that persists across Cursor sessions
+- Automatic capture of MCP tools, shell commands, and file edits
+- Context injection via `.cursor/rules/` for every chat
+- Web viewer at http://localhost:37777
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Cursor IDE
+- Node.js 18+
+- Git
+- `jq` and `curl`:
+  - **macOS**: `brew install jq curl`
+  - **Linux**: `apt install jq curl`
+
+## Step 1: Clone Claude-Mem
+
+```bash
+# Clone the repository
+git clone https://github.com/thedotmack/claude-mem.git
+cd claude-mem
+
+# Install dependencies
+npm install
+
+# Build the project
+npm run build
+```
+
+## Step 2: Configure Provider (Choose One)
+
+Since you don't have Claude Code, you need to configure an AI provider for claude-mem's summarization engine.
+
+### Option A: Gemini (Recommended - Free Tier)
+
+Gemini offers 1500 free requests per day, plenty for typical usage.
+
+```bash
+# Create settings directory
+mkdir -p ~/.claude-mem
+
+# Create settings file
+cat > ~/.claude-mem/settings.json << 'EOF'
+{
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_PROVIDER": "gemini",
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_GEMINI_API_KEY": "YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY",
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_GEMINI_MODEL": "gemini-2.5-flash-lite",
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_GEMINI_RATE_LIMITING_ENABLED": true
+}
+EOF
+```
+
+**Get your free API key**: https://aistudio.google.com/apikey
+
+### Option B: OpenRouter (100+ Models)
+
+OpenRouter provides access to many models, including free options.
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p ~/.claude-mem
+cat > ~/.claude-mem/settings.json << 'EOF'
+{
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_PROVIDER": "openrouter",
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_OPENROUTER_API_KEY": "YOUR_OPENROUTER_API_KEY"
+}
+EOF
+```
+
+**Get your API key**: https://openrouter.ai/keys
+
+**Free models available**:
+- `google/gemini-2.0-flash-exp:free`
+- `xiaomi/mimo-v2-flash:free`
+
+### Option C: Claude API (If You Have API Access)
+
+If you have Anthropic API credits but not a Claude Code subscription:
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p ~/.claude-mem
+cat > ~/.claude-mem/settings.json << 'EOF'
+{
+  "CLAUDE_MEM_PROVIDER": "claude",
+  "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY"
+}
+EOF
+```
+
+## Step 3: Install Cursor Hooks
+
+```bash
+# From the claude-mem repo directory
+npm run cursor:install
+
+# Or for user-level (all projects):
+npm run cursor:install -- user
+```
+
+This installs:
+- Hook scripts to `.cursor/hooks/`
+- Hook configuration to `.cursor/hooks.json`
+- Context template to `.cursor/rules/`
+
+## Step 4: Start the Worker
+
+```bash
+npm run worker:start
+```
+
+The worker runs in the background and handles:
+- Session management
+- Observation processing
+- AI-powered summarization
+- Context file updates
+
+## Step 5: Restart Cursor & Verify
+
+1. **Restart Cursor IDE** to load the new hooks
+
+2. **Check installation status**:
+   ```bash
+   npm run cursor:status
+   ```
+
+3. **Verify the worker is running**:
+   ```bash
+   curl http://127.0.0.1:37777/api/readiness
+   ```
+   Should return: `{"status":"ready"}`
+
+4. **Open the web viewer**: http://localhost:37777
+
+## How It Works
+
+1. **Before each prompt**: Hooks initialize a session and ensure the worker is running
+2. **During agent work**: MCP tools, shell commands, and file edits are captured
+3. **When agent stops**: Summary is generated and context file is updated
+4. **Next session**: Fresh context is automatically injected via `.cursor/rules/`
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### "No provider configured" error
+
+Verify your settings file exists and has valid credentials:
+```bash
+cat ~/.claude-mem/settings.json
+```
+
+### Worker not starting
+
+Check logs:
+```bash
+tail -f ~/.claude-mem/logs/worker-$(date +%Y-%m-%d).log
+```
+
+### Hooks not executing
+
+1. Check Cursor Settings → Hooks tab for errors
+2. Verify scripts are executable:
+   ```bash
+   chmod +x ~/.cursor/hooks/*.sh
+   ```
+3. Check the Hooks output channel in Cursor
+
+### Rate limiting (Gemini free tier)
+
+If you hit the 1500 requests/day limit:
+- Wait until the next day
+- Upgrade to a paid plan
+- Switch to OpenRouter with a paid model
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- Read [README.md](README.md) for detailed hook documentation
+- Check [CONTEXT-INJECTION.md](CONTEXT-INJECTION.md) for context behavior details
+- Visit https://docs.claude-mem.ai for full documentation
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+| Command | Purpose |
+|---------|---------|
+| `npm run cursor:install` | Install hooks for current project |
+| `npm run cursor:install -- user` | Install hooks for all projects |
+| `npm run cursor:status` | Check installation status |
+| `npm run worker:start` | Start the background worker |
+| `npm run worker:stop` | Stop the background worker |
+| `npm run worker:restart` | Restart the worker |