Tinderbox MCP Server

What is Tinderbox MCP Server?

Tinderbox MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol server that lets AI assistants like Claude interact with Tinderbox, a macOS knowledge management application. It uses Tinderbox’s AppleScript integration to create and update notes and navigate document hierarchy.

How to use Tinderbox MCP Server?

Clone the repository, set up a Python virtual environment, install dependencies, and configure GitHub OAuth credentials via a .env file or environment variables. Start the server with python src/server.py, then add the connector URL (http://localhost:8000/mcp) in your MCP client (e.g., Claude Desktop or Mobile). For remote access, use Tailscale or Ngrok.

Key features of Tinderbox MCP Server

• Create, link, and read notes in Tinderbox documents
• Update note attributes, including name, text, position, and color
• Retrieve hierarchical information: siblings, children, and outgoing links
• HTTP transport for remote and mobile access
• GitHub OAuth authentication for secure connections
• AppleScript-based interaction – no breaking changes from version 0.1.x

Use cases of Tinderbox MCP Server

• Create and organize notes in a Tinderbox document based on a conversation
• Explore note hierarchies and let the assistant suggest connections
• Reproduce diagrams from uploaded images using note position and color attributes
• Connect Tinderbox to other services accessible by the AI assistant

FAQ from Tinderbox MCP Server

What are the dependencies and runtime requirements?

Tinderbox (macOS app), macOS, Python 3.10+, a GitHub account for OAuth, and an MCP‑compatible client. The server runs locally or can be exposed via Tailscale/Ngrok.

How does data stay secure with remote access?

The server uses GitHub OAuth authentication. Remote access via Tailscale (private network) or Ngrok (temporary public URL) is supported. Never disable authentication when exposing the server beyond localhost.

What are the limitations of update_attribute?

The update_attribute tool can overwrite any attribute, including Name and Text, potentially causing content loss. Keep backups. For extra safety, remove the tool or modify the AppleScript to restrict attribute editing.

Where do the AppleScript files live and can they be customized?

The .scpt files reside in the applescripts/ directory (default path). They can be edited while the server runs, but adding custom tools requires restarting the server after modifying src/server.py.

How do I connect from Claude Mobile?

In the Claude app, go to Settings → Connectors and add a new connector with the URL http://localhost:8000/mcp. Complete GitHub OAuth in the browser to authenticate.