Signboard MCP
Signboard is a local Markdown-file kanban board with a built-in MCP server: the agent reads and moves cards on disk.
- 93 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- In write mode the agent creates, edits, moves and duplicates cards and boards on disk.
- Access is limited to allowed folders, and by default the server only reads.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
{"command":"/Applications/Signboard.app/Contents/MacOS/Signboard","args":["/Applications/Signboard.app/Contents/Resources/app.asar/bin/signboard-mcp.js"],"env":{"ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE":"1","SIGNBOARD_MCP_READ_ONLY":"true"}}macOS example from MCP_README. The exact JSON is copied with Help, Copy MCP Config; Windows and Linux paths differ.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- In write mode the agent creates, edits, moves and duplicates cards and boards on disk.
- Access is limited to allowed folders, and by default the server only reads.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Signboard is a desktop kanban app: lists are directories and cards are Markdown files. It has a built-in MCP server through which an agent works with boards on your computer. The agent searches cards by text, labels and due dates, reads them, creates and updates them, moves them between lists, duplicates boards and changes settings. The server starts in read-only mode by default. Writing is switched on with `SIGNBOARD_MCP_READ_ONLY=false`, and the reachable folders are limited by `SIGNBOARD_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS`. Creating, updating and duplicating cards support a preview with `dryRun: true`, which also works in read-only mode. The repository holds a `signboard-mcp` skill describing the agent workflow and a `signboard` CLI.
Who it is for. People who keep tasks in Markdown and Obsidian and want Claude Code or Codex to triage and update their boards.
Good fit when
- An agent should gather every card due this week from a board.
- Meeting notes must turn into cards in the To do list.
- You want a safe look at a board without write access.
- You want to preview the change before editing cards in bulk.
Not a fit when
- The team needs a shared cloud board: Signboard stores data locally.
- The app is not installed: the server launches from its bundle.
- Only a web interface without a desktop program is needed.
Example request
List my Signboard boards and the cards in Launch Plan without changing anything.MCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Environment variables
SIGNBOARD_MCP_READ_ONLY- Defaults to true: read only. A value of false or 0 allows writes.
SIGNBOARD_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS- A list of board directories joined by the OS path delimiter.
Limitations
The Signboard app has to be installed: the client launches the bundled `bin/signboard-mcp.js` in Electron Node mode. The Help, Copy MCP Config menu item copies the configuration, and the copied variant enables writes. `boardRoot` paths must be absolute and inside allowed roots. The app is free for personal use, and a sponsorship payment is requested for work use. From version 2.0.0 paid Pro features are announced at 49 dollars a year.
How to disable. Remove the server from the MCP client settings and uninstall the app. Cards stay as plain Markdown files on disk.
FAQ
How do I connect the server to a client?
Choose Help, Copy MCP Config in Signboard and paste `command`, `args` and `env` into the local stdio MCP server settings. Then reconnect the server.
Can the agent change cards?
Only if `SIGNBOARD_MCP_READ_ONLY=false` is set. By default the server reads, and changes can be previewed with `dryRun: true`.
How do I restrict folder access?
With `SIGNBOARD_MCP_ALLOWED_ROOTS`, a list of directories joined by the OS path delimiter. It is merged with the desktop app trusted roots.
What if the agent cannot see a board?
Call `signboard_list_boards`. If the board is missing, name it and call `signboard_resolve_board_by_name` or give an absolute path inside allowed roots.
Is there a CLI?
Yes, the `signboard` command is described in `docs/signboard-cli.md`. It fits terminal automation next to MCP.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
Related
MCP serversDoska kanban MCP server: an agent creates cards, moves them across columns, sets deadlines and searches every board
A terminal kanban board with a 47-tool MCP server: the agent manages boards, cards and sprints in a local file
kanban-md runs a file-based task board for agents and people: Markdown tasks, expiring claims and a terminal UI
A skill sets up one shared task board for people and agents: kanban, a dependency graph and a code map on one page.
Terminal notes, tasks and a Kanban board over plain markdown files, with a JSON CLI and an MCP server for agents.
A terminal kanban board in Python that Claude Code and other agents can read and change through a CLI or MCP
Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signboard (this card) | no | not required | 93 | |
| kanban-md | no | 231 | a Markdown-file board for the terminal; Signboard adds a desktop app and an MCP server | |
| Agent Kanban | no | 502 | a board for agent tasks; Signboard keeps ordinary personal boards in Markdown |
README in short
The app stores boards as directories and Markdown, works with Obsidian and offers Kanban, Planner and Table views. For agents there is an MCP server, a CLI and a skill, and a TUI is announced for version 2.0.0.