# simplenote-mcp

An MCP server that lets an AI client read your Simplenote notes and, if you opt in, create, edit and trash them.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 28
- Author: Automattic
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/Automattic/simplenote-mcp
- Updated: 2026-07-27
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/simplenote-mcp

## What it 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.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add simplenote-mcp -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add simplenote-mcp -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "simplenote-mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@automattic/simplenote-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "simplenote-mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@automattic/simplenote-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add simplenote-mcp npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp
```

## When to use it
- 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
- List all my Simplenote tags
- Find notes tagged `work` and show the titles
- Save this release plan as a new note

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