Obsidian MCP
MCP server that interacts with Obsidian via the Obsidian rest API community plugin
What is Obsidian MCP?
Obsidian MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to mcp server that interacts with obsidian via the obsidian rest api community plugin
MCP server that interacts with Obsidian via the Obsidian rest API community plugin
This server falls under the Knowledge & Memory category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- MCP server that interacts with Obsidian via the Obsidian res
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mcp-server-for-obsidianConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Obsidian MCP
This MCP server bridges Claude with Obsidian by enabling queries and management of your vault through the Obsidian REST API. You can search notes, retrieve markdown content, and organize your knowledge base using natural language through Claude, making Obsidian a powerful extended memory system for AI-assisted development and research.
Prerequisites
- Obsidian installed on your system
- Obsidian REST API community plugin installed in your vault
- Node.js 18+ installed
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor
Install Obsidian REST API Plugin
In Obsidian, go to Community Plugins and search for 'Obsidian REST API'. Install it and enable it in your vault. The plugin exposes a local API endpoint.
Install MCP Server for Obsidian
Install the MCP server using npx to enable Claude to connect to Obsidian.
Configure in Claude Desktop
Add the Obsidian MCP server to your Claude Desktop mcpServers configuration, pointing to your Obsidian vault location.
Verify Connection to Obsidian
Open Claude Desktop and ask Claude to list your vault files. If successful, you'll see your Obsidian notes appear in the response.
Start Querying Your Vault
Ask Claude to search for notes by topic, retrieve specific note contents, or provide summaries of your knowledge base. The server handles REST API calls transparently.
Obsidian MCP Examples
Claude Desktop Configuration
Configure the Obsidian MCP server in mcpServers.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-server-for-obsidian": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-server-for-obsidian"]
}
}
}Prompts to Try
Query your Obsidian vault through Claude.
"Find all notes about machine learning in my vault and summarize the key concepts"
"Search my vault for notes related to project architecture and show me how they connect"
"Retrieve the content of my 'Systems Design' note and explain how it applies to this problem"
"List all notes tagged with 'todo' and organize them by priority"Troubleshooting Obsidian MCP
MCP server cannot connect to Obsidian
Verify the Obsidian REST API plugin is running by checking Obsidian's Community Plugins settings. Confirm the plugin is enabled (you should see an HTTP toggle). Check that the API port (default 27123) is accessible. Try restarting Obsidian if the plugin was recently enabled.
Vault appears empty when querying from Claude
Verify you've configured the correct vault path in the MCP server settings. Check that the Obsidian REST API plugin has permission to access your vault files. Ensure your vault isn't encrypted or read-only.
REST API calls timing out or returning errors
Check that Obsidian is running and the REST API plugin is active. Review the Obsidian logs for any permission or configuration errors. Verify your vault doesn't have an excessive number of files that might slow API responses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Obsidian MCP
What is Obsidian MCP?
Obsidian MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that mcp server that interacts with obsidian via the obsidian rest api community plugin It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Obsidian MCP?
Follow the installation instructions on the Obsidian MCP GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Obsidian MCP?
Obsidian MCP works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Obsidian MCP free to use?
Yes, Obsidian MCP is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up Obsidian MCP in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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