AL's Kanban MCP server

An MCP server that lets Claude Code (or any MCP client) work with boards in an AL's Kanban instance — list boards, create and edit cards, and attach local files.

It talks to your instance over its HTTP API using a personal API token. No database access, no credentials beyond the token.

Why it runs locally

The server runs as a local stdio process rather than a hosted endpoint, specifically so that attach_file works. A remote server cannot reach your filesystem, which would mean passing file contents through the model as base64 — a 5 MB PDF is roughly 1.7M tokens. Running locally, the server reads the file itself and uploads the bytes straight to your instance. They never enter the conversation.

Setup

1. Generate a token. Sign in to your instance, go to /profile, and use the API token section. The token is shown once — copy it then.

The token acts as you, across every workspace you belong to. Treat it like a password, and revoke it from the same page if it leaks.

2. Install.

git clone https://github.com/alaatawalbeh/Alskanban-MCP.git && cd Alskanban-MCP && npm install

3. Register with Claude Code. Quote the path if it contains spaces.

claude mcp add alkanban --scope user --env ALKANBAN_URL=https://kanban.example.com --env ALKANBAN_TOKEN=alk_your_token_here -- node /absolute/path/to/Alskanban-MCP/server.mjs

Check it connected:

claude mcp list

Configuration

Variable	Required	Default	Meaning
`ALKANBAN_TOKEN`	yes	—	Personal API token from `<instance>/profile`
`ALKANBAN_URL`	no	`http://localhost:3000`	Base URL of your instance

The server exits with status 1 and a message on stderr if ALKANBAN_TOKEN is unset.

Tools

Tool	Arguments	Does
`list_workspaces`	—	Workspaces you belong to
`list_boards`	`workspaceId`	Boards in a workspace
`get_board`	`boardId`	Board with its lists and cards
`create_card`	`listId`, `title`	Append a card to a list
`update_card`	`cardId`, `title?`, `description?`	Edit title / Markdown description
`set_due_date`	`cardId`, `dueAt`	ISO 8601 timestamp, or `null` to clear
`move_card`	`cardId`, `toListId`, `beforeCardId?`	Move between lists
`attach_file`	`cardId`, `path`	Upload a local file

Ids flow downward: list_workspaces → list_boards → get_board gives you the listId and cardId values the write tools need.

Requirements

Node.js 20 or newer (uses the built-in fetch, FormData, and File)
An AL's Kanban instance exposing /api/v1 and /api/upload

Notes

Cards created here appear on the next load of the board page; an already-open browser tab will not update on its own.
attach_file is limited to 100 MB, and your instance applies its own smaller per-plan limit on top.
Attachment responses omit the presigned download URL — it is a short-lived credential with no use inside a conversation. Use the board UI to download.

License

MIT