Milanote API and MCP server: connect Milanote to ChatGPT and Claude

Yes, ChatGPT, Claude and other AI agents can work in your Milanote account. That includes Cursor, Codex, OpenClaw and any MCP client, plus automations in n8n, Make and Zapier. Ask in plain words, and the AI adds notes, links and to-do lists to your boards, finds what you saved, sorts cards into columns and exports boards to Markdown. It shows you what it will do first and sends nothing to other people until you say so.

As of November 2026, this repo is the missing piece: 30 Milanote tools for AI assistants and scripts.

What you can ask

Put these 12 reference links on the Moodboard sub-board of Brand refresh and skip the ones already there.

Export my Novel outline board and each chapter sub-board as Markdown into ./outline.

Here are my call notes. Add the action items as a to-do list on Q1 campaign with the dates we agreed.

Where did I save that note about the color palette?

Related MCP server: byob

Two ways to get it

Cotlet is best for designers, writers and teams who want ChatGPT, Claude or another AI agent to work in Milanote for them, with nothing to install.

Start free at cotlet.dev →

Run it yourself

A Milanote API and a Milanote MCP server you run on your own computer, in Python, on the session of your own Google Chrome. 30 of the 31 Milanote tools we run in production at Cotlet: boards, notes, links, to-do lists with due dates, columns, labels, trash, comments, sharing and export.

Milanote has no public API and no official MCP server. This repo gives you both:

• MCP server for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, Codex and any MCP client, over stdio or HTTP. Setup

• REST API on http://127.0.0.1:8787/api/v1/milanote, with OpenAPI docs at /docs. Setup

• Python: call("get_board", board_id="1XiqwC1Mir4d4N"), plus 9 ready scripts in examples/.

Free for your own use, your own business included (license).

Also on Odel: https://odel.app/modules/cotlet/milanote and mcpbeat: https://mcpbeat.com/mcp-servers/cotlet/milanote/

uv tool install milanote-api-mcp                  # or: pip install milanote-api-mcp
milanote-mcp connect                               # reads your Milanote session from Chrome
milanote-mcp call list_boards
claude mcp add milanote -- uvx milanote-api-mcp mcp

Contents

• Questions from Milanote users

• How it works

• Requirements

• Install

• Connect your Chrome

• MCP server

• REST API

• Python and the example scripts

• All 30 tools

• Configuration

• Security and your Milanote account

• Errors

• Self-hosted or hosted

• FAQ

• License

Questions from Milanote users

Does Milanote have an API? No. Milanote has no public API, no webhooks and no official MCP server (checked October 2026). A public API and an MCP server are open requests on its public roadmap, and the only way to get content out is the Export button, one board at a time. This repo and Cotlet give you 30 Milanote tools as a REST API and an MCP server.

Can I get a Milanote API key? Not from Milanote for your own account. With Cotlet you get your own API key that works with your Milanote account, for scripts, n8n, Make, Zapier or any HTTP client. This repo needs no key: it runs on your computer, on your own Milanote session.

Is there an official ChatGPT integration for Milanote? No. Milanote has no official ChatGPT or Claude connector, and a public API is still an open request on its roadmap. Cotlet is an unofficial one that works today, in the ChatGPT and Claude apps and in any AI agent that takes an MCP server.

How do I connect Milanote to ChatGPT? Sign up at cotlet.dev, sign in to Milanote once in your Cloud Browser there, and add Cotlet to ChatGPT, following the steps in your account. Then ask ChatGPT about your Milanote like you would ask an assistant. ChatGPT needs a server on the internet, so this repo alone, running on your computer, does not connect to ChatGPT.

Can ChatGPT add notes and to-dos to my Milanote boards? Yes, with Cotlet. Paste your call notes or links, and it adds them to the right board as notes, links or a to-do list with due dates, and skips what is already there.

Can I search or export my Milanote boards with AI? Yes, with Cotlet. Ask where you saved something, or export a board and its sub-boards as Markdown, for example into Notion or a document.

Can I automate Milanote with Zapier, Make or n8n? Milanote has no Zapier or Make app. With Cotlet, n8n, Make and Zapier can add notes, links and to-dos to your boards, for example from a form, an email or Slack.

Can I use it from my phone? Yes, with Cotlet: once it is set up, the ChatGPT and Claude apps on your phone can use Milanote for you.

Do I need to be technical? For Cotlet, no: you sign in to Milanote and add Cotlet to ChatGPT or Claude, with step-by-step instructions in your account. This repo is for people who are fine with Python and a terminal.

Is my Milanote account safe? Yes. Neither Cotlet nor this repo sees or stores your Milanote password. You sign in yourself, the way you always do, and the AI works on that signed-in session. Anything that reaches other people asks for your OK first: in Cotlet by default, here through your MCP client.

Is it free? This repo is free, also in your own business. Cotlet is free for 7 days with no card, then one-time credit packs from $29, no subscription. Pricing.

I manage Milanote for several accounts or clients. Does that work? Yes, with Cotlet. Each Milanote login gets its own connection. Write to contact@cotlet.dev and tell us how many accounts you manage.

How it works

AI agent (MCP) / script (REST, Python) ──▶ milanote-mcp on your computer ──your Milanote cookies──▶ milanote.com
                                                     ▲
                         milanote-mcp connect ───────┘ reads them once from your Chrome (DevTools Protocol)

1. You sign in to Milanote in your own Chrome, the way you always do.

2. milanote-mcp connect attaches to that Chrome through the Chrome DevTools Protocol, reads the milanote.com cookies and your browser's time zone, and saves them to ~/.config/milanote-api-mcp/session.json, readable by your user only. It never sees or stores your password.

3. Reads are requests to the JSON endpoints of the Milanote web app on app.milanote.com/api. Changes go over the same socket.io channel the web app uses, sent as plain HTTP polling. Everything goes out with your cookies through curl_cffi, which copies Chrome's TLS fingerprint. No headless browser runs.

Milanote's session cookie lasts about a month. When Milanote signs you out, the server reads the cookies from Chrome again, if Chrome is open with remote debugging on.

Requirements

• Python 3.11 or newer.

• Google Chrome 144 or newer, signed in to Milanote. Any Chrome or Chromium works with a debugging port.

• macOS, Linux or Windows.

• Any Milanote plan. A free account stops at 100 cards, and the tools say so when Milanote refuses. Changing a board someone shared with you needs edit access to it.

Install

From PyPI:

uv tool install milanote-api-mcp       # or: pipx install milanote-api-mcp, or: pip install milanote-api-mcp
milanote-mcp --version

MCP clients can also run it with no install: uvx milanote-api-mcp mcp.

From source:

git clone https://github.com/cotletdev/milanote-api-mcp-server.git
cd milanote-api-mcp-server
python3 -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate              # Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate
pip install -e .
milanote-mcp --version

With uv: uv venv && uv pip install -e ., then uv run milanote-mcp ....

Setting it up with an AI agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor)? Open it in this folder and ask it to set up the repo: AGENTS.md tells it every step, and it asks you only for the steps in Chrome.

To update: uv tool upgrade milanote-api-mcp (or pip install -U milanote-api-mcp), from source git pull && pip install -e .. We copy every change of the hosted Milanote tools into this repo.

Connect your Chrome

Option A: your everyday Chrome (recommended)

1. Open chrome://inspect/#remote-debugging in Chrome and switch remote debugging on. Chrome then accepts DevTools connections from programs on this computer, and asks you before each one.

2. Make sure you are signed in at app.milanote.com.

3. Run:

   milanote-mcp connect

4. Chrome asks whether to allow the connection. Click Allow.

Saved 8 Milanote cookies to /Users/you/.config/milanote-api-mcp/session.json
Signed in to Milanote as Ana Lopez

You can switch remote debugging off again afterwards. Leave it on if you want the server to pick up a new session by itself after Milanote signs you out.

connect looks for Chrome's DevToolsActivePort file in the default profile folder. For Chrome Beta, Canary or a custom profile folder, pass --profile-dir "<folder>".

Option B: a Chrome with a debugging port

Chrome does not open a debugging port on your default profile, so start a separate one, sign in to Milanote there once, and connect to it:

# macOS
"/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google Chrome" --remote-debugging-port=9222 --user-data-dir="$HOME/.chrome-milanote"
# Linux
google-chrome --remote-debugging-port=9222 --user-data-dir="$HOME/.chrome-milanote"
# Windows
"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --remote-debugging-port=9222 --user-data-dir="%USERPROFILE%\.chrome-milanote"

milanote-mcp connect --cdp http://127.0.0.1:9222

--cdp also takes a ws:// DevTools URL, for example of a Chrome on another machine reached over an SSH tunnel.

Option C: paste the cookie by hand

For a server with no Chrome: in Chrome open DevTools on app.milanote.com, Application > Cookies > https://app.milanote.com, copy the value of __Secure-milanote.session_token, then:

milanote-mcp connect --token       # paste it, input is hidden
# or, without a session file:
export MILANOTE_AUTH_TOKEN=...

A pasted token is not refreshed on its own. Paste a new one when Milanote signs you out. Times then come in this machine's time zone.

Check the session at any time:

milanote-mcp status

MCP server

The MCP server lists every tool with its input schema, a description written for agents, and hints: read tools are marked read-only, and tools that comment, invite, publish or trash are marked so your client asks before running them.

Claude Code

claude mcp add milanote -- uvx milanote-api-mcp mcp
# read only:
claude mcp add milanote -- uvx milanote-api-mcp mcp --read-only

Claude Desktop

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "milanote": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["milanote-api-mcp", "mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

~/.cursor/mcp.json, the same block as Claude Desktop. A ready copy is in mcp.json.

Codex

~/.codex/config.toml:

[mcp_servers.milanote]
command = "uvx"
args = ["milanote-api-mcp", "mcp"]

Over HTTP

milanote-mcp serve also serves MCP over streamable HTTP at http://127.0.0.1:8787/mcp, for clients that take a URL:

milanote-mcp serve
claude mcp add --transport http milanote http://127.0.0.1:8787/mcp

Then ask your agent things like:

Put these 12 reference links on the Moodboard sub-board of Brand refresh and skip the ones already there.

Export my Novel outline board and each chapter sub-board as Markdown into ./outline.

Here are my call notes. Add the action items as a to-do list on Q1 campaign with the dates we agreed.

Where did I save that note about the color palette?

REST API

milanote-mcp serve                 # http://127.0.0.1:8787, MCP at /mcp, docs at /docs

Each tool has its own route under /api/v1/milanote, the same paths as the hosted API at cotlet.dev, so code written against one works with the other. Path parts and the query string are arguments, and a JSON body adds the rest.

curl 'http://127.0.0.1:8787/api/v1/milanote/boards'
curl 'http://127.0.0.1:8787/api/v1/milanote/boards/1XiqwC1Mir4d4N'
curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:8787/api/v1/milanote/boards/1XiqwC1Mir4d4N/notes \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"text": "Kickoff moved to Tuesday."}'

Any tool by name, body as its arguments:

curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:8787/api/v1/milanote/tools/export_board -d '{"board_id": "1XiqwC1Mir4d4N", "format": "markdown"}'

• GET /api/v1/milanote/tools: every tool with its route, input schema and an example answer.

• GET /docs: interactive OpenAPI docs, GET /openapi.json the schema, for n8n, Postman or a generated client.

• Answers are JSON. Lists that stop early return has_more: true; raise limit to get the rest.

The server listens on 127.0.0.1 only. To reach it from another device of yours, set a token, and every request then needs Authorization: Bearer <token>:

MILANOTE_MCP_TOKEN=$(openssl rand -hex 24) milanote-mcp serve --host 0.0.0.0

Python and the example scripts

Straight from Python, no server needed:

from milanote_api_mcp import call

boards = call("list_boards")["boards"]
board = call("get_board", board_id=boards[0]["id"])
call(
    "add_todo_list",
    board_id=board["board_id"],
    title="This week",
    tasks=[{"text": "Send the brief", "due_date": "2026-10-28"}, {"text": "Book the photographer"}],
)

Or one tool from the shell: milanote-mcp call get_board board_id=1XiqwC1Mir4d4N, or with a JSON object.

Ready scripts in examples/. Each takes --help, and the ones that list things print JSON or save --out file.csv / --out file.json:

python examples/export_boards.py --board 1XiqwC1Mir4d4N --dir ./outline
python examples/save_links.py --board 1XiqwC1Mir4d4N --file links.txt --dry-run

On a schedule, cron on your own computer works while it is on: 0 18 * * 5 cd ~/milanote-api-mcp-server && .venv/bin/python examples/export_boards.py --board 1XiqwC1Mir4d4N --dir ~/backups/milanote.

All 30 tools

board_id is the ID from list_boards, or the board's URL (https://app.milanote.com/1XiqwC1Mir4d4N/...). Cards the tools add land in the board's Unsorted panel, the same place Milanote puts uploads, so they never cover cards on the canvas. milanote-mcp tools prints this list, milanote-mcp tools --json adds the input schemas.

Boards

Cards

Arrange cards

Trash

Comments

Sharing

Account

Not in this version

Never built, on purpose: your Milanote sign-in, email, password and profile settings, and plans and billing.

Configuration

Security and your Milanote account

• Your password never reaches this code. Only cookies are read, and only those of milanote.com.

• The session file is yours. session.json is created with mode 0600. Anyone who has it can act as you on Milanote, so keep it out of git and shared folders.

• Local by default. serve binds to 127.0.0.1 and refuses another address without MILANOTE_MCP_TOKEN.

• milanote.com only. Requests and redirects outside milanote.com are refused.

• Read-only mode. --read-only or MILANOTE_MCP_READ_ONLY=1 exposes the 9 read tools only.

• Some actions reach other people. Comments carry your name, invite_editor emails the person you invite, and publish_board makes a board readable by anyone with the link. MCP clients ask before running them; a script does not.

• Trash is reversible, comments are not. trash_cards moves cards to the board's trash, and restore_card brings them back. delete_comment deletes for everyone.

Errors

The REST API answers {"error": "<code>", "message": "..."}. The MCP server returns the same code and message as a tool error.

Self-hosted or hosted

On the hosted version a successful call uses 10 credits for most tools, failed calls are free, and the Cloud Browser uses 50 credits a day while it has an app enabled for agents. Full pricing.

FAQ

Is there a Milanote MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor? Yes, this one runs on your machine: milanote-mcp mcp for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and Codex. ChatGPT and Claude.ai connectors need a public HTTPS URL, which the hosted Milanote MCP server gives you.

Can I export Milanote boards to Markdown? Yes, with sub-boards: python examples/export_boards.py --board <board URL> --dir ./outline writes one Markdown file per board, in folders that follow the nesting. Word, PDF, PNG and plain text work the same way with --format.

Can I back up all my boards? Run export_boards.py on each board of your Home, from cron. Images and files on a board stay in Milanote. Milanote's own Generate ZIP in the Export menu downloads the originals.

Can it add to boards someone shared with me? Yes, if your account can edit that board. Read-only boards can be read and exported, not changed.

Does it work on the free plan? Yes. The free plan's 100-card limit still applies: get_usage shows where you stand, and adding a card past it fails with Milanote's own message.

Why does it need my Chrome? To read your Milanote session without your password, and your time zone for due dates. Chrome is used once per sign-in, not for each call.

What happens when Milanote signs me out? Calls fail with auth_expired. With Chrome remote debugging on, the server reads the new cookies on the next call (click Allow when Chrome asks); otherwise run milanote-mcp connect again.

Can it run on a VPS or in Docker? Technically yes, with MILANOTE_AUTH_TOKEN. Milanote then sees your session from a datacenter IP, which looks less like you. For an always-on setup the hosted version keeps your session in your own Cloud Browser on a fixed IP.

Will my Milanote account get banned? Requests carry Chrome's fingerprint and go out one at a time, as you would click. Nobody can promise a platform never acts. Keep to your normal use.

Can I use it at work or for my clients? At work and in your own business, yes, free. You may not offer it to others as a hosted or managed service. For client work, use Cotlet or write to contact@cotlet.dev.

Is it open source? The source is public under the Elastic License 2.0: free to use and change, also in your own business, but not to resell as a hosted service.

A tool broke or I need another one. Open an issue with the tool name and the error message.

License

Elastic License 2.0. In short:

• Allowed: using it for yourself and in your own business, free. Changing the code and sharing it under the same license.

• Not allowed: offering it to others as a hosted or managed service, removing the license notices, getting around its limits.

Maintained by Cotlet (@cotletdev). Milanote is a trademark of its owner. This project is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Milanote.