Simplenote MCP: Simplenote notes in an agent
simplenote-mcp
Automattic's official Simplenote MCP server: an agent reads, searches and optionally edits notes, with no sign-in on macOS
- 33 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Extended access
Why this level
- In write mode an agent creates, edits and trashes the account's notes
- The Simplenote token in auth.json opens all notes on the account
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add mcp/simplenote-mcpDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
What it sends to the author: what it sends to the author: anonymous usage events with a unique UUID, setup choices, and tool calls. note content and account data are not sent. To turn it off: SIMPLENOTE_MCP_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1 in the server environment.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- In write mode an agent creates, edits and trashes the account's notes
- The Simplenote token in auth.json opens all notes on the account
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server gives an agent access to Simplenote notes, a note service from Automattic. By default it only reads: it shows tags, a list of recent notes with a tag filter, searches text, titles and tags and returns a whole note. On macOS with the Simplenote app installed the server reads the local Core Data store with no network or sign-in. On Linux, Windows and macOS without the app it works through the Simperium HTTP API after a one-time simplenote-mcp setup, where you enter a one-time code from the login page. With write mode enabled in setup the tools for creating, updating, trashing and restoring a note open up, along with version history and revert. The trash is reversible, and versions are kept by Simperium.
Who it is for. People who keep notes in Simplenote and want Claude Code, Codex or Cursor to find what they need in them and, if they choose, add to them.
Good fit when
- You need to find a note with a recipe or list by a word you only partly remember
- You want to pull all notes tagged work into one plan
- After a wrong edit to a note you want to roll back to an earlier version from history
- The agent should keep notes as it works, and write mode is on for that
- Without internet on macOS you want offline access to notes through the local store
Not a fit when
- Your notes are not in Simplenote: the server works only with that service
- You need to write to notes on macOS through the local store: it is read-only, writing goes through the API
- Do not enable write mode on an account with important notes and no backup: the agent can edit them
- You need several accounts at once: setup configures one
Example request
Find all Simplenote notes tagged work from the past month and compile a list of open tasks from them.MCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- OAuth
Environment variables
SIMPLENOTE_TOKENsecret- Simplenote token for headless runs, otherwise read from auth.json
SIMPLENOTE_MCP_DISABLE_TELEMETRY- The value 1 turns off anonymous telemetry
Limitations
You need Node.js 22 or newer. Write mode is enabled only during setup and requires the API provider, while the macOS local store always stays read-only. After sign-in the token sits in auth.json with 0600 permissions, a one-time code lives five minutes, and repeated sign-in attempts are rate limited.
The server sends Automattic anonymous usage events: setup choices and tool calls with no note text or IDs. They can be turned off with SIMPLENOTE_MCP_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1.
How to disable. Remove the server with claude mcp remove simplenote, then run npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp logout to erase the token. The disable-telemetry command turns telemetry off.
FAQ
How do I connect Simplenote MCP to Claude Code?
Run npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp setup, then claude mcp add simplenote -- npx -y @automattic/simplenote-mcp. Setup creates the config and opens the Simplenote login page when needed.
Can the agent change notes?
Only if you enable write mode during setup. By default the server reads, and the macOS local store accepts no writes at all. Writing goes through the Simperium API and covers creating, editing, trash and version revert.
Do I need to sign in on macOS?
No, if the Simplenote app is installed and synced. Setup finds the local store and reads it offline with no authentication. Sign-in is needed on Linux, Windows and on a Mac without the app.
What data goes to Automattic?
Anonymous events: choices in setup and the fact of a tool call with a success flag. Note text, IDs, search queries and tokens are not sent, and it is switched off with SIMPLENOTE_MCP_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1.
How do I bring back a note the agent spoiled?
Through version history: get_note_history lists versions, get_note_version opens the one you want, revert_note restores it. A deleted note sits in the Simplenote trash and comes back with the restore_note tool. Both paths work only in write mode.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplenote MCP: Simplenote notes in an agent (this card) | yes | OAuth | 33 | |
| Apple Notes MCP | no | not required | 187 | Apple Notes app notes, here the Simplenote service with version history |
| mcp-obsidian | no | API key | 4,533 | an Obsidian Markdown vault, while here notes live in the Simplenote cloud |
README in short
The README opens with a two-command quick start, then covers requirements, one-time setup, token storage and headless runs. Configs for about ten clients follow, then a telemetry section, a description of each tool with parameters, and notes for Windows and development.