Read-only search, todo listing, and daily note access for a WhyNote account

How do I install WhyNote?

Install WhyNote via npm from https://registry.npmjs.org, then add the server config to your MCP client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code).

Is WhyNote open source?

Yes, WhyNote is open source under the MIT license. Source code is available at https://github.com/Coooolinz/why-note-mcp.

What category does WhyNote belong to?

WhyNote is listed under Search & Knowledge MCP servers on MCPFind.

WhyNote — MCP Server for Search & Knowledge

WhyNote MCP

A zero-dependency, read-only Model Context Protocol server for searching and reading the notes in one WhyNote account.

Install

Generate a read-only token in WhyNote settings, then configure your MCP client to run npx -y why-note-mcp with NOTE_URL and NOTE_TOKEN.

Generic project configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "note": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "why-note-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "NOTE_URL": "https://note.example.com",
        "NOTE_TOKEN": "<read-only-token>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code:

claude mcp add --scope user note \
  -e NOTE_URL=https://note.example.com \
  -e NOTE_TOKEN='<read-only-token>' \
  -- npx -y why-note-mcp

Codex CLI:

codex mcp add note \
  --env NOTE_URL=https://note.example.com \
  --env NOTE_TOKEN='<read-only-token>' \
  -- npx -y why-note-mcp

Values written directly in a command may be retained in shell history. Edit the client configuration instead if that is a concern.

Node.js 18 or newer is required.

Tools

search: search note lines by case-insensitive substring
todos: list incomplete or all todo items
read_day: read one date's complete note and etag
recent_days: read existing note days around an anchor date

Security

The server reads NOTE_URL and NOTE_TOKEN only from its environment. It sends the token only as a Bearer credential to the configured WhyNote URL. It never receives the account password and exposes no write tool.

Changing the WhyNote account password revokes its read-only tokens. Generate a new token in WhyNote settings when a token expires or is revoked.

Development

npm ci
npm test
npm run pack:check

The test suite uses a local fake HTTP service; it does not require a WhyNote account, network access, or third-party dependencies.

License

MIT

Set up in your AI client

AI clientOperating system

Merge this template into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Keep existing servers. Add any arguments, credentials, and permissions required by the maintainer; this template has not been install-tested.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-coooolinz-why-note": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "why-note-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect. Confirm the server appears connected in the client’s tool list, then try a read-only example from its documentation.

Claude Desktop setup reference

Compatible MCP Clients

WhyNote works with any MCP-compatible client. Copy the config snippet from the Configuration section above and add it to the file shown for your client, then restart the application.

Claude Desktop~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonRestart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect.

Cursor~/.cursor/mcp.jsonRestart Cursor for changes to take effect.

VS Code.vscode/mcp.jsonReload VS Code window for changes to take effect.

Windsurf~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.jsonRestart Windsurf for changes to take effect.

Claude Code.mcp.jsonSave at the project root, then start Claude Code in that project and review the MCP server approval prompt. Keep real credentials out of shared files.

WhyNote