How do I install Obsidian MCP MCP Server?

Follow the setup instructions on the Obsidian MCP GitHub repository, then add the server configuration to your AI client.

What category is Obsidian MCP MCP Server?

Obsidian MCP is categorized under Knowledge & Memory. Browse more servers in these categories on MCPgee.

Obsidian MCP

Name: Obsidian MCP
Author: newtype-01

v1.0.0•Knowledge & Memory•stable

This project implements a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for connecting AI models with Obsidian knowledge bases. Through this server, AI models can directly access and manipulate Obsidian notes, including reading, creating, updating, and deletin

obsidian-mcpmcpai-integration

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What is Obsidian MCP?

Obsidian MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to this project implements a model context protocol (mcp) server for connecting ai models with obsidian knowledge bases. through this server, ai models can directly access and manipulate obsidian notes, ...

This server falls under the Knowledge & Memory category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.

Features

This project implements a Model Context Protocol (MCP) serve

Use Cases

Access Obsidian vaults with AI.

Read, create, and update notes.

Delete and manage knowledge bases.

newtype-01

Maintainer

LicenseMIT License

Languagejavascript

Versionv1.0.0

UpdatedMay 18, 2026

Statushealthy

Maintenanceactive

Works with

ClaudeOpenAIwindowsmacoslinux

View Source Browse All Servers

Installation

Manual Installation

npx obsidian-mcp

Configuration

Configuration Details

Config File

claude_desktop_config.json

Performance

Response Metrics

Response Time< 200ms

ThroughputMedium

Resource Usage

Memory UsageLow

CPU UsageLow

How to Set Up and Use Obsidian MCP

Obsidian MCP is a Model Context Protocol server that gives AI models direct access to your Obsidian knowledge base through the Obsidian Local REST API plugin. It supports reading, creating, updating, deleting, moving, and searching notes, as well as heading-based edits, block ID targeting, and automatic wikilink generation across your entire vault. Developers and knowledge workers use it to let Claude or other AI assistants draft, organize, and cross-link notes directly in Obsidian without manual copy-pasting.

Prerequisites

Obsidian desktop application installed with a vault configured
The 'Local REST API' community plugin installed and enabled in Obsidian (generate an API token in its settings)
Node.js and npm installed
An MCP-compatible AI client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor

Install the Local REST API plugin in Obsidian

Open Obsidian, go to Settings > Community Plugins, search for 'Local REST API', install and enable it. In the plugin settings, generate an API token and note the port number (default: 27123).

Install the obsidian-mcp server package

Install the package globally using npm, or use npx to run it without a global install. The package name on npm is @huangyihe/obsidian-mcp.

npm install -g @huangyihe/obsidian-mcp

Add the MCP server to your AI client configuration

Open your AI client's MCP config file and add an entry for obsidian-mcp. Set the three required environment variables: your vault path, the API token from the Local REST API plugin, and the port number.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "obsidian-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@huangyihe/obsidian-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH": "/path/to/your/vault",
        "OBSIDIAN_API_TOKEN": "your_token_from_plugin_settings",
        "OBSIDIAN_API_PORT": "27123"
      }
    }
  }
}

Ensure Obsidian is running with the plugin active

The Local REST API plugin only serves requests while Obsidian is open and running. Make sure Obsidian is launched before using the MCP server, as it needs the REST API to be reachable at the configured port.

Restart your AI client and verify the tools

Fully restart your AI client so it starts the obsidian-mcp server process. Check that the Obsidian tools appear in the tools list, then test by asking the AI to list notes in your vault.

Obsidian MCP Examples

Client configuration

Claude Desktop configuration for obsidian-mcp. All three OBSIDIAN_ environment variables are required — the server will fail to start without them.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "obsidian-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@huangyihe/obsidian-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH": "/Users/me/Documents/MyVault",
        "OBSIDIAN_API_TOKEN": "your_local_rest_api_token",
        "OBSIDIAN_API_PORT": "27123"
      }
    }
  }
}

Prompts to try

After connecting, use these prompts to interact with your Obsidian vault through Claude or another AI client.

- "List all notes in my vault that mention 'machine learning'"
- "Create a new note called 'Meeting Notes 2026-06-13' with today's agenda"
- "Search my vault for notes about project planning and summarize them"
- "Add a section called 'Next Steps' to my 'Current Projects' note"
- "Find all notes that reference 'authentication' and add wikilinks between them"

Troubleshooting Obsidian MCP

Connection refused or API token errors when the server starts

Confirm Obsidian is running and the Local REST API plugin is enabled. Verify the OBSIDIAN_API_TOKEN matches the value shown in the plugin settings, and that OBSIDIAN_API_PORT matches the port the plugin is listening on (check the plugin settings for the exact port).

Environment variables not recognized — server fails with a config error

Ensure all three env vars use the exact OBSIDIAN_ prefix: OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH, OBSIDIAN_API_TOKEN, and OBSIDIAN_API_PORT. Variables without this prefix are ignored. Double-check for typos in the JSON config.

Notes are not found even though they exist in the vault

Verify that OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH points to the exact root folder of the vault (the folder that contains the .obsidian directory). Relative paths may not resolve correctly — use an absolute path.

Frequently Asked Questions about Obsidian MCP

What is Obsidian MCP?

Obsidian MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that this project implements a model context protocol (mcp) server for connecting ai models with obsidian knowledge bases. through this server, ai models can directly access and manipulate obsidian notes, including reading, creating, updating, and deletin 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.

🖥️

Claude Desktop

macOS & Windows app

⌨️

Claude Code

CLI & terminal

📝

Cursor

AI-first code editor

💻

VS Code

GitHub Copilot MCP

🏄

Windsurf

Codeium AI editor

🔌

Cline

VS Code extension

Quick Config Preview

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "obsidian-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "obsidian-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json

Read the full setup guide →

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