hivemind — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Connects local Obsidian vaults to coding assistants via MCP. Keeps AI responses grounded in verified notes and project lore without hallucinations.
claude mcp add --env HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH=<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH> --env HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH=<HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH> --transport stdio hivemind -- npx -y @hiveforge/hivemind-mcpWhat hivemind does
The server provides tools like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor with structured access to markdown files in an Obsidian vault. It parses YAML frontmatter and wikilinks to retrieve entities such as ADR documents, research notes, or fiction world lore.
Content passes through a canon workflow with draft, pending, and approved statuses. Without setting the HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH environment variable, the process cannot locate the vault and fails to start. Processing stays local on your machine.
What it helps with
- ground AI responses in canonical Obsidian markdown notes
- feed architectural decision records directly to coding tools
- track consistency across draft and approved entity states
- retrieve lore and character relations during text generation
Example prompts for the agent
- Check the Obsidian vault for approved architectural constraints on our API service.
- List all canonical characters belonging to the northern faction according to my notes.
- Review the draft ADR notes and summarize the pending database decisions.
How to install hivemind
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH=<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH> --env HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH=<HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH> --transport stdio hivemind -- npx -y @hiveforge/hivemind-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add hivemind --env HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH=<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH> --env HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH=<HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH> -- npx -y @hiveforge/hivemind-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"hivemind": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hiveforge/hivemind-mcp"
],
"env": {
"HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH": "<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH>",
"HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH": "<HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"hivemind": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hiveforge/hivemind-mcp"
],
"env": {
"HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH": "<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH>",
"HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH": "<HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH=<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH> -e HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH=<HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH> hivemind npx -y @hiveforge/hivemind-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
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 hivemind
How to install hivemind in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add hivemind -e HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH=<HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH> -- npx -y @hiveforge/hivemind-mcp, replacing <HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH> with your vault directory path.
What does hivemind do?
It exposes your local Obsidian notes to coding assistants over the Model Context Protocol, letting AI read verified project facts and relationship links.
What configuration is required to run hivemind?
You need Node.js with npx and must provide your vault location through HIVEMIND_VAULT_PATH, with an optional HIVEMIND_CONFIG_PATH for custom templates.
