README.md
MCP server for the Brain Obsidian knowledge base.
brain-mcp
MCP server for the Brain Obsidian knowledge base. Provides tools for navigating, searching, creating, and updating notes.
Installation
uv sync
Usage
Run directly
uv run brain-mcp
Configure in Claude Code
claude mcp add brain -- uv run --directory /path/to/brain-mcp brain-mcp
Or add to ~/.claude.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"brain": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "--directory", "/path/to/brain-mcp", "brain-mcp"],
"env": {
"BRAIN_VAULT_PATH": "/path/to/your/obsidian/vault"
}
}
}
}
Configure in Claude Desktop
Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"brain": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "--directory", "/path/to/brain-mcp", "brain-mcp"],
"env": {
"BRAIN_VAULT_PATH": "/path/to/your/obsidian/vault"
}
}
}
}
Environment Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
BRAIN_VAULT_PATH |
Absolute path to the Obsidian vault | ~/Documents/Projects/Obsidian/Brain |
Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
brain_search_notes |
Full-text search across notes with context snippets |
brain_list_notes |
List notes in a folder, filterable by frontmatter type |
brain_read_note |
Read a note by path or title |
brain_create_note |
Create a new note (defaults to Notes/ per workflow) |
brain_update_note |
Replace content of an existing note |
brain_move_note |
Move/promote a note between folders |
brain_find_backlinks |
Find all notes linking to a given note via wikilinks |
brain_get_structure |
Vault overview with folder stats and MOC - Home |
brain_list_folders |
List subdirectories with note counts |
Prompts
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
vault_review |
Review inbox notes for promotion readiness |
kb_update |
Generate a KB Update note from a work session |
daily_capture |
Quick-capture a fleeting note |
project_status |
Status overview of all active projects |
find_related |
Map all Brain content related to a topic |
Vault Structure
The server expects an Obsidian vault with these canonical folders:
Brain/
├── Notes/ ← Inbox: fleeting notes, KB Updates
├── APIs/ ← External API references
├── Infrastructure/ ← Servers, databases, networking
├── Personal/ ← Personal notes
├── Projects/ ← Active project trackers
├── Repositories/ ← Code repository references
├── Tooling/ ← AI tool configuration
├── Workflows/ ← Standards and processes
└── _Templates/ ← Note templates
Development
# Install with dev dependencies
uv sync --group dev
# Run tests
uv run pytest
# Lint & format
uv run ruff check .
uv run ruff format .
License
MIT
Tools (9)
brain_search_notesFull-text search across notes with context snippetsbrain_list_notesList notes in a folder, filterable by frontmatter typebrain_read_noteRead a note by path or titlebrain_create_noteCreate a new notebrain_update_noteReplace content of an existing notebrain_move_noteMove/promote a note between foldersbrain_find_backlinksFind all notes linking to a given note via wikilinksbrain_get_structureVault overview with folder stats and MOC - Homebrain_list_foldersList subdirectories with note countsEnvironment Variables
BRAIN_VAULT_PATHAbsolute path to the Obsidian vaultConfiguration
claude_desktop_config.json
{"mcpServers": {"brain": {"command": "uv", "args": ["run", "--directory", "/path/to/brain-mcp", "brain-mcp"], "env": {"BRAIN_VAULT_PATH": "/path/to/your/obsidian/vault"}}}}Try it
→Search my notes for all entries related to project management and summarize the current status.
→Create a new note in the Notes folder titled 'Meeting Notes' with today's date and a summary of our discussion.
→Find all notes that link to my 'AI Research' note to see what is connected to this topic.
→List all notes in the Projects folder to see which ones have been updated recently.
→Review my inbox notes and suggest which ones are ready to be promoted to the main knowledge base.