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., "@YNAB MCP ServerHow much money do I have left in my Groceries category?"
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.
YNAB MCP Server
A minimal, auditable MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for YNAB budget management. Designed for local AI assistants that need to read and modify YNAB budgets.
Why This Exists
Use a local LLM for financial coaching while keeping sensitive context (goals, reasoning, life circumstances) off cloud servers. Only structured API commands go to YNAB.
Features
Read: Budgets, accounts, categories, transactions, payees
Write: Create transactions, move money between categories
Secure: Token stored in OS keyring, never logged or transmitted elsewhere
Installation
Or with uv:
Setup
Get a YNAB Personal Access Token at https://app.youneedabudget.com/settings/developer
Store the token:
Verify:
Usage
With Claude Code / MCP Clients
Add to your MCP config:
Direct
Available Tools
Tool | Description | Modifies Data |
| List all budgets | No |
| List accounts with balances | No |
| List categories with budgeted/spent/available | No |
| List transactions (filterable) | No |
| Month overview with overspent warnings | No |
| List all payees | No |
| Move money between categories | Yes |
| Create new transaction | Yes |
| Update existing transaction | Yes |
Security
What stays local:
Your goals and motivations
AI coaching responses
Conversation history
Life context you share
What goes to YNAB API:
Structured API calls (get categories, create transaction, etc.)
Same data YNAB already has
Audit points:
src/ynab_mcp_server/api.py- All API communication (~300 lines)Only endpoint:
https://api.ynab.com/v1Token retrieved from keyring/env, never logged
License
MIT