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Install DEVONthink MCP Server

Pick your client, copy the command, done.

file-management
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Add it to Claude Code

claude mcp add devonthink-mcp -- npx -y github:TomBener/devonthink-mcp

Environment Variables

Set these before running DEVONthink MCP Server.

VariableDescriptionRequired
BIBLIOGRAPHY_JSONPath to the exported bibliography JSON file for metadata resolutionNo

Available Tools (18)

Once configured, DEVONthink MCP Server gives your AI agent access to:

is_runningChecks if DEVONthink is currently running
create_recordCreates new records with specified properties
record typenameparent groupmetadata
delete_recordDeletes records by ID, name, or path
record identifier
move_recordMoves records between groups
record IDdestination group
get_record_propertiesRetrieves detailed metadata and properties for records
record identifier
searchPerforms text-based searches with various comparison options
query stringsearch options
lookup_recordLooks up records by filename, path, URL, tags, comment, or content hash
lookup typevalue
create_from_urlCreates records from web URLs in multiple formats
URLformat options
get_open_databasesLists all currently open databases
list_group_contentLists the content of a specific group
group identifier
get_record_contentRetrieves the content of a specific record
record identifier
rename_recordRenames a specific record
record IDnew name
add_tagsAdds tags to a specific record
record IDtags
remove_tagsRemoves tags from a specific record
record IDtags
classifyGets classification proposals for a record using DEVONthink's AI
record UUIDdatabase namecomparison typetags option
compareCompares records to find similarities
primary record UUIDsecond record UUIDdatabase namecomparison type
get_bib_metadataResolves bibliography metadata for a DEVONthink record or Finder path
Finder pathrecord UUIDDEVONthink IDdatabasebibliographyJsonPathbibliographyBibPath
get_records_by_citation_keyResolves a citation key to its attachment metadata and matching DEVONthink records
citationKeyJSON/BibTeX export paths

Try It Out

After setup, try these prompts with your AI agent:

→Search for all records in my 'Inbox' database containing the phrase 'project plan'.
→List the contents of my 'Research' group in DEVONthink.
→Find the DEVONthink record associated with the citation key 'smith2023ai'.
→Get classification proposals for the record with UUID '12345-67890'.
→Add the tag 'urgent' to the record named 'Meeting Notes'.
Prerequisites & system requirements
  • An MCP-compatible client (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, or Codex)
  • Node.js 18+ with npm/npx installed
Alternative installation methods

Codex

codex mcp add devonthink --env BIBLIOGRAPHY_JSON=/path/to/bibliography.json -- npx -y github:TomBener/devonthink-mcp

Keep this setup from going cold

Save the docs, env vars, and workflow around DEVONthink MCP Server in Conare so Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor remember it next time.

Remember this setup
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