The Anki MCP Server connects to a local Anki desktop app via Anki-Connect to manage flashcards. It allows you to:
Query Cards: Retrieve cards from the current deck, cards due for review (
is:due), or new/unseen cards (is:new).Update Cards: Mark cards as answered with an ease score (1 = Again, 4 = Easy).
Add Cards: Create new flashcards in the Default Anki deck using HTML formatting for both front and back content.
Get Due Cards: Fetch a specified number of cards due for review.
Get New Cards: Fetch a specified number of new/unseen cards.
Development: Includes tools for building, debugging, and configuring the server for use with Claude Desktop.
Connects to a locally running Anki application through the Anki-Connect add-on, providing tools for card review and creation, including retrieving due and new cards, updating card ease ratings, and adding new flashcards.
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@Anki MCP Serverget 5 cards due for review"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
Anki MCP Server
An MCP server implementation that connects to a locally running Anki, providing card review and creation.
This server is designed to work with the Anki desktop app and the Anki-Connect add-on.
Make sure you have the add-on installed before using.
Resources
anki://search/deckcurrent
Returns all cards from current deck
Equivalent of
deck:currentin Anki
anki://search/isdue
Returns cards in review and learning waiting to be studied
Equivalent of
is:duein Anki
anki://search/isnew
Returns all unseen cards
Equivalent of
is:newin Anki
Related MCP server: Anki MCP Server
Tools
update_cards
Marks cards with given card IDs as answered and gives them an ease score between 1 (Again) and 4 (Easy)
Inputs:
answers(array): Array of objects withcardId(number) andease(number) fields
add_card
Creates a new card in the Default Anki deck
Inputs:
front(string): Front of cardback(string): Back of card
get_due_cards
Returns n number of cards currently due for review
Inputs:
num(number): Number of cards
get_new_cards
Returns n number of cards from new
Inputs:
num(number): Number of cards
Development
Install dependencies:
Build the server:
For development with auto-rebuild:
Configuration
To use with Claude Desktop, add the server config:
On MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
On Windows: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Debugging
Since MCP servers communicate over stdio, debugging can be challenging. We recommend using the MCP Inspector, which is available as a package script:
The Inspector will provide a URL to access debugging tools in your browser.