FocusRelay MCP
FocusRelay reads and updates OmniFocus tasks and projects on macOS through documented APIs, with approval before edits
- 59 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
Extended access
Why this level
- The server reads all OmniFocus tasks and projects and can change their attributes, dates and statuses
- Work goes through app automation, which needs access in macOS settings
Install
- Works in
Manual install
brew install focusrelayBefore this run `brew tap deverman/focus-relay` and `brew trust --formula deverman/focus-relay/focusrelay`.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- The server reads all OmniFocus tasks and projects and can change their attributes, dates and statuses
- Work goes through app automation, which needs access in macOS settings
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
FocusRelay is a native Swift MCP server and CLI for macOS. An assistant answers questions about OmniFocus tasks without getting the whole database: compact queries by dates, flags, tags, projects, availability, inbox and text. Reviews cover projects, folders, tags and stalled work. Updates use stable identifiers and are verified after saving. Names, notes, flags, dates, estimates, tags and review intervals can be changed, and tasks and projects can be completed, dropped, restored and moved. Creating and deleting are not supported in the current release. For inbox processing a step-by-step `process_inbox` workflow first previews a change and then applies it.
Who it is for. OmniFocus users on a Mac who want to process the inbox and update tasks in dialogue with an assistant.
Good fit when
- Process the inbox in a small batch, approving each change
- Learn how many flagged tasks you have and which are available now
- Set a due date of tomorrow at 5 PM on a task by name and verify it
- Review stalled projects and mark them reviewed
Not a fit when
- Tasks have to be created or deleted, which this version cannot do
- OmniFocus is not installed or you are not on macOS
- Tasks live in Things, Todoist or another manager
Example request
Help me process my OmniFocus inbox in a small batch and set the task Report due tomorrow at 5 PMMCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
macOS and Homebrew are required, and Homebrew 6 asks you to trust formulae from non-official taps explicitly: `brew tap deverman/focus-relay`, then `brew trust --formula deverman/focus-relay/focusrelay` and `brew install focusrelay`. Work goes through the Omni Automation API, so the OmniFocus app must be granted automation access. The version is marked beta and updates only existing tasks and projects, with creation and deletion tracked as repository feature requests.
How to disable. Remove the package with `brew uninstall focusrelay` and delete the server from the client configuration. Automation access can be revoked in macOS privacy settings.
FAQ
How do I install FocusRelay?
Through Homebrew: `brew tap deverman/focus-relay`, then `brew trust --formula deverman/focus-relay/focusrelay` and `brew install focusrelay`. An `.mcpb` package exists too for clients with extension support.
What is process_inbox?
A step-by-step workflow for processing the inbox in small batches with approval. In clients with MCP prompts it is picked from a list, in the CLI it is `focusrelay workflow get process_inbox`.
Can the server create tasks?
No, the current release updates only existing tasks and projects. Creation and deletion are tracked in repository requests.
How is an edit verified?
Updates use stable OmniFocus identifiers and a change can be verified by reading it back after saving. If task names are duplicated, the assistant first shows the candidates.
Is there a standalone CLI?
Yes, `focusrelay` also works as a CLI, including for agents that need a workflow through `focusrelay workflow list`.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The README opens with a promise of fast, compact OmniFocus answers with approval of edits. Features, Homebrew installation, client setup and ways to contribute follow.