Obsidian Vault MCP Server — Claude Code MCP server: how to install
Connects AI assistants to an Obsidian vault using the Local REST API. Useful for finding, reading, and extracting notes directly during development.
claude mcp add --env API_KEY=<API_KEY> --env API_URLS=<API_URLS> --env API_HOST=<API_HOST> --env API_PORT=<API_PORT> --env MCP_TRANSPORTS=<MCP_TRANSPORTS> --transport stdio obsidian-vault-mcp-server -- npx -y @oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidianWhat Obsidian Vault MCP Server does
This MCP server links the coding assistant to an Obsidian vault. Communication relies on the Obsidian Local REST API. Once configured, the assistant can query notes, read markdown files, and inspect stored knowledge.
Configuration requires setting API_KEY and API_URLS. It also accepts API_HOST, API_PORT, and MCP_TRANSPORTS when standard network settings need adjustment. The server runs via npx using @oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidian.
Without an active Local REST API plugin and valid authentication key, the server fails immediately. Ensure the REST endpoint is running in Obsidian before adding the tool.
What it helps with
- search notes inside a local Obsidian vault
- inspect note contents from the agent prompt
- feed personal project documentation into context
Example prompts for the agent
- Search my Obsidian vault for notes mentioning deployment steps.
- Read the contents of architecture.md from my Obsidian vault.
- Find notes tagged with meeting from last week and summarize them.
How to install Obsidian Vault MCP Server
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env API_KEY=<API_KEY> --env API_URLS=<API_URLS> --env API_HOST=<API_HOST> --env API_PORT=<API_PORT> --env MCP_TRANSPORTS=<MCP_TRANSPORTS> --transport stdio obsidian-vault-mcp-server -- npx -y @oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidianReplace <…> with your own values. 3 more environment variables are in the server README
Platform CLI
codex mcp add obsidian-vault-mcp-server --env API_KEY=<API_KEY> --env API_URLS=<API_URLS> --env API_HOST=<API_HOST> --env API_PORT=<API_PORT> --env MCP_TRANSPORTS=<MCP_TRANSPORTS> -- npx -y @oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidianReplace <…> with your own values. 3 more environment variables are in the server README
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"obsidian-vault-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidian"
],
"env": {
"API_KEY": "<API_KEY>",
"API_URLS": "<API_URLS>",
"API_HOST": "<API_HOST>",
"API_PORT": "<API_PORT>",
"MCP_TRANSPORTS": "<MCP_TRANSPORTS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. 3 more environment variables are in the server README
Config file
{
"servers": {
"obsidian-vault-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidian"
],
"env": {
"API_KEY": "<API_KEY>",
"API_URLS": "<API_URLS>",
"API_HOST": "<API_HOST>",
"API_PORT": "<API_PORT>",
"MCP_TRANSPORTS": "<MCP_TRANSPORTS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. 3 more environment variables are in the server README
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e API_KEY=<API_KEY> -e API_URLS=<API_URLS> -e API_HOST=<API_HOST> -e API_PORT=<API_PORT> -e MCP_TRANSPORTS=<MCP_TRANSPORTS> obsidian-vault-mcp-server npx -y @oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidianReplace <…> with your own values. 3 more environment variables are in the server README
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 Obsidian Vault MCP Server
How to install Obsidian Vault MCP Server in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add mcp-obsidian-via-rest -e API_KEY=<API_KEY> -e API_URLS=<API_URLS> -- npx -y @oleksandrkucherenko/mcp-obsidian with your own credentials.
What does Obsidian Vault MCP Server do?
It connects coding agents to Obsidian vaults through a REST interface. The agent can search notes, retrieve markdown files, and use that context.
What environment variables are required?
You must supply API_KEY and API_URLS. Optional variables include API_HOST, API_PORT, and MCP_TRANSPORTS.
