ynab-mcpb — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Connects YNAB to an MCP client for transaction work, receipt splitting, reconciliation, and spending analysis.
claude mcp add --env YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN=<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN> --env YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE=<YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE> --env YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE=<YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE> --transport stdio ynab-mcpb -- npx -y @dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpbWhat ynab-mcpb does
ynab-mcpb connects YNAB to an MCP client so an assistant can work with budgets through natural-language requests. Its 35 tools cover budgets, accounts, transactions, categories, scheduled entries, and period data. It can turn a receipt into a split transaction, compare a bank CSV with YNAB records, and inspect spending.
Write operations use a preview step with a one-time confirmation tied to the validated request. The server can run with core, read-only, or full tool profiles, while read responses can use Markdown or JSON. A YNAB personal access token is required through YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN; without it, the server cannot connect.
What it helps with
- reconcile a YNAB account against a bank CSV
- split a receipt into itemized transactions
- create a transaction from a written description
- inspect spending by category and period
- list upcoming scheduled bills and income
Example prompts for the agent
- Reconcile my checking account with
bank.csvand list the mismatches. - Turn this receipt into a split transaction and allocate its tax.
- Show grocery spending from the last 30 days as JSON.
How to install ynab-mcpb
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN=<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN> --env YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE=<YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE> --env YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE=<YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE> --transport stdio ynab-mcpb -- npx -y @dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpbReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add ynab-mcpb --env YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN=<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN> --env YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE=<YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE> --env YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE=<YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE> -- npx -y @dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpbReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"ynab-mcpb": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpb"
],
"env": {
"YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN>",
"YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE": "<YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE>",
"YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE": "<YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"ynab-mcpb": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpb"
],
"env": {
"YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN>",
"YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE": "<YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE>",
"YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE": "<YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN=<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN> -e YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE=<YNAB_MCP_WRITE_MODE> -e YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE=<YNAB_MCP_TOOL_PROFILE> ynab-mcpb npx -y @dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpbReplace <…> 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 ynab-mcpb
How do I install ynab-mcpb in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add ynab-mcpb -e YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN=<YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN> -- npx -y @dizzlkheinz/ynab-mcpb. The YNAB token is supplied through the environment variable.
What does ynab-mcpb do?
It exposes YNAB budget data and write actions through MCP tools. The server supports receipt itemization, bank reconciliation, scheduled transactions, and spending analysis.
What does ynab-mcpb need to run?
It requires a YNAB personal access token in YNAB_ACCESS_TOKEN. Write actions use a preview and one-use confirmation flow.
