How to Install the NotePlan MCP Server

The NotePlan MCP server connects NotePlan to AI assistants such as Claude and ChatGPT, so you can manage your notes, tasks, calendar and reminders by chat.

Which connector do you need?

You want to use Use this
Claude on iPhone, iPad or the web (claude.ai) Remote connector
Claude Desktop, Claude Code, ChatGPT or Codex on your Mac Built-in connector (this article)

You can use the remote and the built-in connector at the same time.

Built-in connector (Mac, NotePlan 3.22 and later)

The connector is part of NotePlan. You don't need Node.js, and each NotePlan update also updates the connector.

What you need

  • A Mac with NotePlan 3.22 or later (macOS 13 or later).
  • Notes that sync with CloudKit or are stored locally. The connector can't read notes that sync with iCloud Drive.
  • An AI app on the Mac: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, ChatGPT or Codex, or another MCP app that starts a local server.

Install

In NotePlan, open Help > AI Connectors (MCP) and choose your app:

  • Claude Desktop: click Install Claude Connector…. Claude Desktop shows its install dialog. Click Install.
  • Claude Code: click Copy Claude Code Command, paste it into Terminal and press Return.
  • ChatGPT / Codex: click Install Codex / ChatGPT Connector…, then Copy Command and Open Terminal. Paste the command, press Return, and restart ChatGPT or Codex.
  • Other apps: click Copy MCP Configuration and paste it into the app's MCP settings.

Used the old Node.js connector (@noteplanco/noteplan-mcp) before? Remove it first, or the tools show up twice.

Try it

  • "What's on my schedule today?"
  • "Show my open tasks tagged #urgent."
  • "Add a task to my daily note: call the dentist at 3pm."
  • "Which tasks did I complete this week in my project folders?"

Good to know

  • NotePlan can be closed. Some actions open it in the background: templates, plugins, screenshots, changes to Spaces, and calendar or reminder actions from Terminal apps.
  • Changes apply right away, with no preview. Trashed notes can be restored from @Trash.
  • The connector runs on your Mac. The note text that the AI reads goes to your AI app and its provider: MCP privacy.

Troubleshooting

"Your Notes Sync with iCloud Drive"
Switch to CloudKit sync in Settings > Sync.

The NotePlan tools show up twice
The old Node.js connector is still installed. Remove it and restart your AI app.

Claude isn't using the NotePlan tools
Check Claude Desktop > Settings > Extensions > NotePlan. Quit Claude Desktop with ⌘Q, open it again and start a new chat.

Logs for support
In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder and paste ~/Library/Containers/co.noteplan.NotePlan3/Data/Library/Logs/NotePlan-headless.log (Setapp: co.noteplan.NotePlan-setapp). Send us this file if we ask for it.

Command line
The same tools work without an AI app. Run /Applications/NotePlan.app/Contents/MacOS/NotePlan cli help in Terminal.

Remove the old Node.js connector

NotePlan 3.21 and earlier used a separate connector that ran with Node.js. It's no longer needed. To remove it:

  • Claude Desktop: open Settings > Developer > Edit Config, delete the "noteplan" entry under mcpServers, save, and quit Claude Desktop with ⌘Q.
  • Claude Code: run claude mcp remove noteplan
  • Codex: run codex mcp remove noteplan

Still on NotePlan 3.21 or earlier? Update NotePlan to get the built-in connector.