Obsidian Sync MCP: an Obsidian vault for agents
Obsidian Sync MCP
An MCP server that lets an agent read and edit Obsidian notes from a folder or via Self-hosted LiveSync, even with your laptop off
- 72 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
Broad access
Why this level
- An agent reads, overwrites, moves and deletes vault notes
- Cloud deployment exposes the vault over the network, and the CouchDB password and `MCP_AUTH_TOKEN` guard all the content
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add mcp/obsidian-sync-mcpDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- An agent reads, overwrites, moves and deletes vault notes
- Cloud deployment exposes the vault over the network, and the CouchDB password and `MCP_AUTH_TOKEN` guard all the content
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Obsidian Sync MCP opens your Obsidian vault to any MCP agent over HTTP. There are two modes: filesystem (reads `.md` files from the vault folder, no database needed) and CouchDB (reads the database that the Self-hosted LiveSync plugin syncs the vault into, with end-to-end encryption support). Tools work with notes and attachments: `read_note`, `write_note`, `edit_note` (append, prepend after frontmatter or replace exact text), `list_notes`, `search_notes`, `move_note`, `delete_note`, `list_tags`, `list_folders` and `get_note_metadata` with links and backlinks. For attachments there are `create_attachment_upload`, `list_attachments` and more. Every response carries an `obsidian://open` deep link that opens the note on Mac and iOS. The server is deployed on Fly.io with the `deploy/setup.sh` script or as a Docker image so that it answers even when the computer is off. `MCP_AUTH_TOKEN` protects access and agents sign in through OAuth.
Who it is for. People who keep notes in Obsidian and want to ask an agent about their daily notes and projects from a phone while the laptop is off.
Good fit when
- From a phone you need to ask what is in today daily note and get a link that opens it in Obsidian
- Notes sync through LiveSync and an agent needs access with no computer switched on
- You need to append an item to a meeting note without rewriting it, through `edit_note`
- You want every note with a project tag from the last month
Not a fit when
- You want a ready cloud service with no server of your own: the cloud deployment is done by you
- The vault sits without LiveSync and the computer turns off: filesystem mode does not work without it
- Notes hold data that an agent may not edit or delete
Example request
What is in my daily note for today? Give me a link to open it in Obsidian and add the task call the bank.MCP
- Transport
- http
- Authentication
- key is optional
Environment variables
VAULT_PATH- Path to the vault folder for filesystem mode
COUCHDB_URL- CouchDB address for LiveSync mode
COUCHDB_PASSWORDsecret- CouchDB password, required in CouchDB mode
MCP_AUTH_TOKENsecret- Password an agent enters when connecting
Limitations
Node.js 22 or newer or Docker is required. CouchDB mode needs a configured Self-hosted LiveSync plugin and the variables `COUCHDB_URL`, `COUCHDB_USER`, `COUCHDB_PASSWORD` and `COUCHDB_DATABASE`. For an encrypted vault add `COUCHDB_PASSPHRASE`, and for obfuscated paths in LiveSync 1.0.33 and newer add `COUCHDB_ID_DERIVATION_KEY`. The server never creates the database.
Cloud deployment costs about 3–4 dollars a month for CouchDB and MCP on Fly.io and about 0–2 dollars for MCP alone. `MCP_AUTH_TOKEN` serves as the password when an agent connects. Filesystem mode works only while the machine with the vault is on.
How to disable. Stop the server process or container and remove the connector from the client. For the cloud run `fly apps destroy` on your app and change the CouchDB password.
FAQ
How do I run Obsidian Sync MCP without LiveSync?
In filesystem mode: `VAULT_PATH=~/Documents/MyVault VAULT_NAME=MyVault npx obsidian-sync-mcp`. The server reads `.md` files from the vault folder.
What does CouchDB mode give?
Access to notes while the computer is off: the vault syncs to CouchDB through Self-hosted LiveSync and the server reads the database directly.
How is the connection protected?
With `MCP_AUTH_TOKEN` and agent sign-in through OAuth; without a token the server accepts only listed hosts to guard against DNS rebinding.
Can I append to a note without rewriting it?
Yes, `edit_note` appends to the end, inserts after frontmatter or replaces an exact text fragment.
How much does the cloud deployment cost?
According to the README, about 3–4 dollars a month for CouchDB with MCP on Fly.io and about 0–2 dollars for MCP alone.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Sync MCP: an Obsidian vault for agents (this card) | no | key is optional | 72 | |
| mcp-obsidian | no | API key | 4,532 | another MCP server for Obsidian; this one adds LiveSync mode and cloud deployment |
| Obsidian Hybrid Search | no | not required | 123 | adds hybrid search over a vault; this one gives access to notes and attachments with editing |
README in short
The README walks through three setups: MCP to the cloud next to CouchDB, everything to the cloud from scratch, and running on your own machine. It continues with tool tables for notes and attachments, environment variables and a Fly.io cost estimate.