How to Install the NotePlan MCP Server

The NotePlan MCP server connects NotePlan to AI clients, so you can manage notes, tasks, reminders, and calendar items by chat.

What You Need

Tip: For the latest MCP features, use the NotePlan TestFlight build.

Step 1 — Install Node.js

If you don't have Node.js yet, install it from https://nodejs.org.

Step 2 — Connect NotePlan MCP

Claude Desktop

  • Open Claude Desktop.
  • Go to Settings > Developer > Edit Config.
  • Replace the config with:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "noteplan": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@noteplanco/noteplan-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
  • Save and restart Claude Desktop.

Claude Code

Run:

claude mcp add noteplan -- npx -y @noteplanco/noteplan-mcp
claude mcp list

OpenAI Codex (CLI)

Codex runs with your ChatGPT account/subscription.

Run:

codex mcp add noteplan -- npx -y @noteplanco/noteplan-mcp
codex mcp list

OpenAI Codex (UI)

Go to Settings > MCP servers > Add new server, then fill:

  • Name: noteplan
  • Command to launch: npx (or /usr/local/bin/npx)
  • Arguments: -y, @noteplanco/noteplan-mcp
  • Working directory: keep default (for example ~/code)

Step 3 — 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."

The npx command automatically downloads and runs the NotePlan MCP server.

Troubleshooting

How to view MCP logs (Claude Desktop)

Logs are the fastest way to diagnose MCP issues. To find them:

  1. Open Claude Desktop Settings (⌘ + , on Mac).
  2. Click Developer, then click the NotePlan MCP server entry.
  3. Click View Logs — this opens the log file in Console.app.
  4. In Console.app, click Reveal in Finder (at the top) to see the log file on disk.

The log file is typically located at:
~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp-server-noteplan.log

"No such file or directory" on startup

If Claude Desktop shows env: node: No such file or directory or Failed to spawn process, it usually means Node.js was installed with a version manager (like n, nvm, fnm, or volta) and Claude Desktop can't find it.

To fix this, open Terminal and run:

which npx

This will show the full path, for example /Users/you/.n/bin/npx. Take the folder part (/Users/you/.n/bin) and update your Claude Desktop config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "noteplan": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@noteplanco/noteplan-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "PATH": "/Users/you/.n/bin:/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace /Users/you/.n/bin with the folder from your which npx output. Save and restart Claude Desktop.

Claude isn't using the NotePlan tools

If Claude responds to your question without using the NotePlan tools (you don't see a tool use indicator in the response), try these steps in order:

  1. Delete the MCP log file. Find it using the steps under "How to view MCP logs" above, then delete the file.
  2. Fully restart Claude Desktop. Quit with ⌘Q (not just close the window), then relaunch.
  3. Start a new conversation. Open a fresh Chat conversation (not Cowork).
  4. Tell the AI to refresh. In your new conversation, try sending: "The NotePlan MCP tools have been updated. Please refresh your tool list and show me my calendar events for today." — this nudges the AI to re-check the available tools instead of relying on cached information.

Claude Desktop can sometimes cache stale MCP tool metadata. Restarting and starting a fresh conversation clears this.

Calendar or Reminders access not working

The MCP server accesses your calendars and reminders through NotePlan via AppleScript. For this to work:

  • NotePlan must be running. If NotePlan isn't open, calendar and reminder commands will fail.
  • NotePlan must be up to date. Calendar and reminder support requires NotePlan 3.20.2 or later. Install the latest version from the App Store or use the TestFlight build.

Sending logs for support

If something isn't working, we may ask you for your MCP logs. To get a clean log:

  1. Quit Claude Desktop (⌘Q).
  2. Delete the existing log file (see "How to view MCP logs" above for the location).
  3. Relaunch Claude Desktop.
  4. Open a new Chat conversation and reproduce the issue.
  5. Open the new log file and send us the full contents.

A fresh log makes it much easier to diagnose the problem.