Obsidian MCP
obsidian-mcp
A local MCP server for Obsidian vaults: reads and edits explicitly configured folders of Markdown files, Obsidian need not be open
- 741 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Broad access
Why this level
- Reads and changes the Obsidian vault files
- Clients can call destructive tools
- Deletion goes to the bin by default
Install
- Works in
Manual install
npx -y obsidian-mcp@2 serve --vault notes=/absolute/path/to/vaultOr globally: npm install -g obsidian-mcp@2. Node.js 22 or newer is required.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- Reads and changes the Obsidian vault files
- Clients can call destructive tools
- Deletion goes to the bin by default
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server lets MCP assistants safely read and change explicitly configured Obsidian vaults. It works directly with Markdown files, so Obsidian itself need not be open. Launch: `npx -y obsidian-mcp@2 serve --vault notes=/absolute/path/to/vault`, global install `npm install -g obsidian-mcp@2`. Node.js 22 or newer is required, and MCP versions 2026-07-28 and 2025 are supported. Version 2.0.0 from 14.08.2026, MIT license.
Who it is for. For people who keep notes in Obsidian and want an agent to search them, read and append.
Good fit when
- You need to search and read notes from an agent
- You need to append and create notes on request
- You need access to chosen vaults only and not to all folders
Not a fit when
- You are not ready to let an agent change notes without a copy
- You need a plugin inside Obsidian
Example request
Find all mentions of the Fox project in the notes and build a timeline from them in a new noteMCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
The README warns: clients can call destructive tools, so make a copy of the vault. Deletion by default sends a note to the `.obsidian-mcp/trash` bin. Access is wide: the server reads and changes the vault's files. Specify only the needed vaults with the --vault flag.
How to disable. Remove the server entry from the client config and the package (npm uninstall -g obsidian-mcp). Deleted notes are in .obsidian-mcp/trash.
FAQ
Does Obsidian need to be open?
No, the server works directly with the vault's Markdown files.
How do I launch it?
npx -y obsidian-mcp@2 serve --vault notes=/absolute/path/to/vault, Node.js 22 or newer is needed.
What about deletion?
By default notes go to the .obsidian-mcp/trash bin. The README advises making a copy of the vault.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
Related
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An Obsidian plugin: an MCP server runs inside Obsidian with eight tools for the vault, search and graph. Installed through the plugin catalog or .mcpb
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Comparison with similar tools
Entries that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Entry | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian MCP (this entry) | no | not required | 741 | |
| Obsidian MCP Plugin | no | API key | 466 | the MCP server runs inside a running Obsidian |
| mcp-obsidian | no | API key | 4,471 | agents read and edit notes |
README in short
The README describes a local server for reading and editing Obsidian vaults, launching through npx, a warning about destructive tools and a deletion bin. MIT license.