simplenote-mcp — Claude Code MCP server: Simplenote notes in your chat
An MCP server that lets an AI client read your Simplenote notes and, if you opt in, create, edit and trash them.
claude mcp add simplenote-mcp -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcpWhat simplenote-mcp does
The server exposes Simplenote data to any MCP-compatible client. Read tools are on from the start: notes and tags. Write tools stay hidden unless you enable write mode during simplenote-mcp setup, and that is what adds create, update, trash, restore and revert.
On macOS with the Simplenote desktop app installed and synced, the server pulls notes straight from the app's local Core Data store — no auth, no network. Everywhere else, including macOS without the app, it goes through the Simperium HTTP API. Run npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp setup once: it asks for your Simplenote email, mails you a short code, asks for that code, then asks about write mode. The token is saved to auth.json with 0600 permissions. Node.js 22+ is required.
The magic-link token never refreshes on its own. The auth endpoint also throttles: repeated failures lock the IP out for about 10 minutes, so scripting retries backfires. A 401 from the API means the old token is dead — clear it with npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp logout and run setup again. For headless use, pass SIMPLENOTE_TOKEN as an environment variable; it does not replace config.json, which still has to exist with source and writeMode set.
What it helps with
- pull a note's text into the task context without copy-paste
- create a note from what the agent and you just discussed
- list every note carrying a given tag
- edit or trash a note from the chat
- bring back a note deleted by accident
Example prompts for the agent
- List all my Simplenote tags
- Find notes tagged
workand show the titles - Save this release plan as a new note
How to install simplenote-mcp
Platform CLI
claude mcp add simplenote-mcp -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcpPlatform CLI
codex mcp add simplenote-mcp -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"simplenote-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@automattic/simplenote-mcp"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"simplenote-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@automattic/simplenote-mcp"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add simplenote-mcp npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcpStep 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 simplenote-mcp
How do I install simplenote-mcp in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add simplenote-mcp -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp once, then restart the client. Before that, complete npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp setup so config.json and your login exist.
What does simplenote-mcp do?
It gives an AI client access to your Simplenote notes. Reading works out of the box; writing appears only when write mode was allowed at setup.
Do I need a Simplenote account?
On macOS with the desktop app installed and synced, the server can read the local database offline with no login. Otherwise you need a Simplenote account and a one-time setup with the emailed code.
