# Usage Guide
This guide covers how to use the Simplenote MCP Server with Claude Desktop and other MCP clients.
## Getting Started
Once you have installed and configured the Simplenote MCP Server, you can start using it immediately with Claude Desktop. The server provides a rich set of tools and resources for managing your Simplenote notes.
## Available Tools
### Note Management
#### `create_note`
Create a new note in your Simplenote account.
**Parameters:**
- `content` (string, required): The content of the note
- `tags` (array of strings, optional): Tags to assign to the note
**Example usage in Claude Desktop:**
```
Create a new note with the content "Meeting notes for project X" and tag it with "work" and "meetings"
```
#### `update_note`
Update an existing note's content or tags.
**Parameters:**
- `note_id` (string, required): The ID of the note to update
- `content` (string, optional): New content for the note
- `tags` (array of strings, optional): New tags for the note
**Example usage:**
```
Update the note with ID "abc123" to add the tag "completed"
```
#### `delete_note`
Delete a note from your Simplenote account.
**Parameters:**
- `note_id` (string, required): The ID of the note to delete
**Example usage:**
```
Delete the note with ID "xyz789"
```
#### `get_note`
Retrieve the content and metadata of a specific note.
**Parameters:**
- `note_id` (string, required): The ID of the note to retrieve
**Example usage:**
```
Show me the content of note "abc123"
```
### Search and Discovery
#### `search_notes`
Search through your notes using advanced search capabilities.
**Parameters:**
- `query` (string, required): Search query
- `tags` (array of strings, optional): Filter by specific tags
- `limit` (integer, optional): Maximum number of results (default: 20)
- `include_deleted` (boolean, optional): Include deleted notes (default: false)
**Search Features:**
- **Boolean operators**: Use `AND`, `OR`, `NOT` for complex searches
- **Phrase matching**: Use quotes for exact phrases: `"project meeting"`
- **Tag filtering**: Search within specific tags
- **Wildcard support**: Use `*` for partial matches
**Example usage:**
```
Search for notes containing "python" and "tutorial"
Find all notes tagged with "work" that mention "deadline"
Search for the exact phrase "quarterly review"
```
#### `list_tags`
Get all available tags from your notes.
**Parameters:**
- `limit` (integer, optional): Maximum number of tags to return
**Example usage:**
```
Show me all my note tags
```
#### `get_notes_by_tag`
Find all notes that have a specific tag.
**Parameters:**
- `tag` (string, required): The tag to search for
- `limit` (integer, optional): Maximum number of results
**Example usage:**
```
Show me all notes tagged with "recipes"
```
### Utility Tools
#### `get_note_count`
Get the total number of notes in your account.
**Example usage:**
```
How many notes do I have?
```
#### `sync_notes`
Force synchronization with your Simplenote account to get the latest changes.
**Example usage:**
```
Sync my notes with Simplenote
```
## Working with Resources
The Simplenote MCP Server exposes your notes as MCP resources, making them discoverable and accessible to Claude Desktop.
### Resource URLs
Each note is accessible as a resource with the URL format:
```
simplenote://note/{note_id}
```
### Resource Discovery
Claude Desktop can automatically discover your notes. You can:
- Ask Claude to "list my recent notes"
- Reference notes by their titles or content
- Have Claude search through your notes contextually
## Common Usage Patterns
### Daily Note Management
```
Create a daily journal entry:
"Create a new note with today's date as the title and tag it with 'journal'"
Update an existing note:
"Add this meeting summary to my project notes"
Organize notes:
"Tag all my recipe notes with 'cooking'"
```
### Research and Knowledge Management
```
Search across your knowledge base:
"Find all notes about machine learning algorithms"
Create structured notes:
"Create a note about Python best practices with sections for syntax, performance, and testing"
Link related information:
"Find notes related to the project I'm working on"
```
### Task and Project Management
```
Track project progress:
"Create a note for the new website project and tag it with 'projects' and 'web-dev'"
Review completed tasks:
"Show me all notes tagged with 'completed'"
Plan upcoming work:
"Find all notes tagged with 'todo' and 'urgent'"
```
## Advanced Search Examples
### Boolean Operators
```
# Find notes with both terms
"Search for notes containing 'python AND machine learning'"
# Find notes with either term
"Search for notes about 'javascript OR typescript'"
# Exclude specific terms
"Find notes about 'web development' but NOT 'backend'"
```
### Phrase Matching
```
# Exact phrase search
"Find notes with the exact phrase 'quarterly business review'"
# Multiple phrases
"Search for notes containing 'project status' AND 'deadline approaching'"
```
### Tag-Based Filtering
```
# Search within specific tags
"Search for 'algorithm' in notes tagged with 'computer-science'"
# Multiple tag filtering
"Find notes tagged with both 'work' and 'meeting'"
# Tag exclusion
"Search all notes except those tagged with 'archive'"
```
### Date and Metadata Searches
```
# Recent notes
"Show me notes created in the last week"
# Modified notes
"Find notes I've updated recently"
# Large notes
"Show me my longest notes"
```
## Integration with Claude Desktop
### Natural Language Commands
Claude Desktop understands natural language commands for note management:
```
"Create a grocery list note"
"Find my recipe for chocolate cake"
"Update my todo list to mark the presentation as complete"
"Show me all my work-related notes from this week"
"Delete the old meeting notes from last month"
```
### Contextual Assistance
Claude can use your notes as context for conversations:
```
"Based on my project notes, what should I focus on next?"
"Help me summarize my research notes on renewable energy"
"Create a presentation outline from my conference notes"
```
### Batch Operations
```
"Tag all my cooking notes with 'recipes'"
"Find and organize all my travel planning notes"
"Create a summary of all my meeting notes from this month"
```
## Performance Tips
### Optimize Search Queries
- Use specific terms rather than generic ones
- Combine tags with content search for better filtering
- Limit results when dealing with large note collections
### Cache Management
- The server automatically caches frequently accessed notes
- Sync periodically to ensure you have the latest data
- Use offline mode for testing without API calls
### Rate Limiting
- The server automatically handles Simplenote API rate limits
- Avoid rapid-fire requests for better performance
- Use batch operations when possible
## Troubleshooting
### Common Issues
1. **Notes not appearing**: Run sync to get latest changes
2. **Search not finding notes**: Try simpler search terms or check spelling
3. **Authentication errors**: Verify your credentials in the configuration
### Debug Mode
Enable debug logging to troubleshoot issues:
```bash
export LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG
```
### Testing Commands
```
# Test basic functionality
"How many notes do I have?"
# Test search
"Search for any note containing 'test'"
# Test note creation
"Create a simple test note"
```
## Best Practices
### Note Organization
- Use consistent tagging schemes
- Keep note titles descriptive
- Regularly clean up old or obsolete notes
### Search Strategy
- Start with broad searches, then narrow down
- Use tags to categorize and filter content
- Combine multiple search techniques for best results
### Security
- Regularly review and update your Simplenote password
- Monitor your note access patterns
- Keep your server installation updated
## Getting Help
If you encounter issues or need assistance:
1. Check the [troubleshooting section](configuration.md#troubleshooting-configuration)
2. Review the [API documentation](api/server.md)
3. Open an issue on [GitHub](https://github.com/docdyhr/simplenote-mcp-server/issues)
4. Check the [changelog](changelog.md) for recent updates
## Next Steps
- Explore the [API Reference](api/server.md) for technical details
- Read about [Configuration](configuration.md) options
- Learn about [Contributing](contributing.md) to the project