Apple Notes — Claude Code MCP server: setup
This MCP server lets an agent work with Apple Notes on macOS, including note search, creation, editing, moving, and organization.
claude mcp add --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS> --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS> --transport stdio applenotes-mcp -- uvx apple-mcp-notesWhat Apple Notes does
The server connects Apple Notes to an MCP client and exposes operations for inspecting and searching notes, creating new entries, changing their contents, moving them between folders, and organizing the store.
It runs through uvx apple-mcp-notes. Access can be narrowed with APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE, APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS, and APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS. The setup needs macOS and Python 3.11+, and the user must approve Automation access to Notes.
Local execution does not keep returned data inside the Mac: the client may send it to its model provider, while Apple apps may sync it through iCloud or another account. Without Automation permission, the server cannot access Notes.
What it helps with
- search notes by their contents
- create entries in Apple Notes
- edit existing note text
- move notes between folders
- organize an Apple Notes store
Example prompts for the agent
- Search Apple Notes for entries about the project release and show the relevant ones.
- Create an Apple Notes entry with the decisions from today’s discussion.
- Move the note called “Plan” into the “Projects” folder and revise its text.
How to install Apple Notes
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS> --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS> --transport stdio applenotes-mcp -- uvx apple-mcp-notesReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-mcp-notes <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add applenotes-mcp --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS> --env APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS> -- uvx apple-mcp-notesReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-mcp-notes <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"applenotes-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"apple-mcp-notes"
],
"env": {
"APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE": "<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE>",
"APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS": "<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS>",
"APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS": "<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-mcp-notes <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"applenotes-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"apple-mcp-notes"
],
"env": {
"APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE": "<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE>",
"APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS": "<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS>",
"APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS": "<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-mcp-notes <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_SAFETY_MODE> -e APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_ACCOUNTS> -e APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS=<APPLE_NOTES_MCP_ALLOWED_FOLDERS> applenotes-mcp uvx apple-mcp-notesReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from apple-mcp-notes <command>
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Apple Notes
How do I install Apple Notes in Claude Code?
Install uv, then run claude mcp add apple-mcp-notes -- uvx apple-mcp-notes.
What does Apple Notes do?
It gives an MCP client access to Apple Notes on macOS for searching, reading, creating, editing, and moving notes.
What does Apple Notes require?
You need macOS, Python 3.11+, and Automation permission for Notes. Safety, account, and folder limits can be set with the provided environment variables.
