MCP Outline Server

MCP Outline Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enabling AI assistants to interact with Outline (https://www.getoutline.com)

Overview

This project implements a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants (like Claude) to interact with Outline document services, providing a bridge between natural language interactions and Outline's document management capabilities.

Features

Currently implemented:

• Document Search: Search for documents by keywords
• Collection Management: List collections and view document structure
• Document Reading: Read document content, export as markdown
• Comment Management: View and add comments on documents
• Document Creation: Create new documents in collections
• Document Editing: Update document content and move documents
• Backlink Management: View documents that link to a specific document

Add to Cursor with Docker

We recommend running this python MCP server using Docker to avoid having to install dependencies on your machine.

1. Install and run Docker (or Docker Desktop)
2. Build the Docker image docker buildx build -t mcp-outline .
3. In Cursor, go to the "MCP Servers" tab and click "Add Server"
   { "mcpServers": { "mcp-outline": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "-i", "--rm", "--init", "-e", "DOCKER_CONTAINER=true", "-e", "OUTLINE_API_KEY", "-e", "OUTLINE_API_URL", "mcp-outline" ], "env": { "OUTLINE_API_KEY": "<YOUR_OUTLINE_API_KEY>", "OUTLINE_API_URL": "<YOUR_OUTLINE_API_URL>" } } } }

   OUTLINE_API_URL is optional, defaulting to https://app.getoutline.com/api

4. Debug the docker image by using MCP inspector and passing the docker image to it:
   npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector docker run -i --rm --init -e DOCKER_CONTAINER=true --env-file .env mcp-outline

Development

Prerequisites

• Python 3.10+
• Outline account with API access
• Outline API key (get this from your Outline account settings)

Installation

Configuration

Create a .env file in the project root with the following variables:

Running the Server

When running the MCP Inspector, go to Tools > Click on a tool > it appears on the right side so that you can query it.

Usage Examples

Search for Documents

List Collections

Read a Document

Create a New Document

Add a Comment

Move a Document

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

Development

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• Built with MCP Python SDK
• Uses Outline API for document management