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journalowl-mcp

by mindfullabai

@mindfulabai/journalowl-mcp

MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for JournalOwl - AI-powered journaling integration for Claude Code, Cursor, and ChatGPT Agents.

Features

  • Create journal entries directly from your AI assistant

  • Search and browse your journal entries

  • Access weekly reviews with emotional trends and insights

  • Get personalized suggestions based on your writing style

  • Secure API key authentication with scoped permissions

Related MCP server: ai-journal

Installation

npx @mindfulabai/journalowl-mcp

Or install globally:

npm install -g @mindfulabai/journalowl-mcp

Configuration

1. Get your API Key

  1. Log in to JournalOwl

  2. Go to Settings > API Keys

  3. Create a new API key with the scopes you need:

    • journal:read - Read your journal entries

    • journal:write - Create new entries

    • review:read - Access weekly reviews

    • profile:read - Access your profile and writing style

2. Configure Claude Code

Add to your ~/.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "journalowl": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@mindfulabai/journalowl-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "JOURNALOWL_API_KEY": "jowl_sk_your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Configure Cursor

Add to your Cursor MCP settings:

{
  "journalowl": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["@mindfulabai/journalowl-mcp"],
    "env": {
      "JOURNALOWL_API_KEY": "jowl_sk_your_api_key_here"
    }
  }
}

Available Tools

Tool

Description

journal_create_entry

Create a new journal entry

journal_list_entries

List entries with filters

journal_get_entry

Get entry details and analysis

journal_search

Search entries by text

journal_get_weekly_review

Get weekly review and insights

journal_get_writing_style

Get writing style preferences

Available Resources

URI

Description

journalowl://user/profile

User profile and journaling stats

journalowl://user/recent-entries

Recent entries metadata

Example Usage

Once configured, you can use JournalOwl directly in your AI conversations:

"Create a journal entry about my productive day at work"

"Show me my journal entries from last week"

"What insights does my weekly review show?"

"Search my journal for entries about anxiety"

Development

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/mindfulabai/journalowl-mcp.git
cd journalowl-mcp

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build
npm run build

# Run in development mode
npm run dev

# Test with MCP Inspector
npm run inspector

Security

  • API keys are transmitted securely via HTTPS

  • Keys are hashed in our database (we never store the plain key)

  • You can revoke keys at any time from JournalOwl settings

  • Scopes limit what each key can access

Support

License

MIT

Available Tools

7 tools
journal_create_entryA

Create a new journal entry in JournalOwl. Entry is created with status "in_progress". Use journal_finalize_entry to generate AI analysis and complete the entry.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
dateNoOptional date for the entry in ISO 8601 format (e.g., "2024-01-15"). Defaults to today in your timezone.
moodNoOptional current mood (e.g., "happy", "anxious", "peaceful", "motivated")
tagsNoOptional tags to categorize the entry (e.g., ["work", "gratitude", "goals"])
contentYesThe content of the journal entry. Write freely about your thoughts, feelings, or experiences.

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It discloses a key behavioral trait: the entry is created with status 'in_progress'. It also hints at the lifecycle by referencing journal_finalize_entry. However, it does not mention auth requirements, error conditions, or return format, which would increase transparency further.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, front-loaded with the action, then a crucial lifecycle note and a pointer to the sibling tool. Every sentence earns its place with no redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool is simple (one required parameter), and the schema covers all parameter semantics. The description adds valuable lifecycle context (in_progress status, finalize step) that is not present in the schema. Lacking an output schema, it does not describe return values, but that is not critical for a create tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, and each parameter has a clear description in the schema. The tool description adds no additional parameter-level meaning beyond what the schema already provides, so the baseline of 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb and resource: 'Create a new journal entry in JournalOwl.' It also states the initial status ('in_progress') and explicitly differentiates from the sibling tool journal_finalize_entry by directing users to it for completion.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description clearly states when to use this tool (to create an entry) and provides an explicit alternative for a different step (use journal_finalize_entry to generate AI analysis and complete the entry). This gives clear context for tool selection.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

journal_finalize_entryA

Finalize a journal entry and generate AI analysis. This generates sentiment analysis, themes, and insights. Entry must have at least 100 characters.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
entry_idYesThe ID of the journal entry to finalize

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It adds meaningful context by disclosing that the tool generates sentiment analysis, themes, and insights, and imposes a minimum character requirement. It does not mention potential side effects like making the entry read-only or whether the analysis is asynchronous, but the provided details go beyond a simple restatement.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is compact: two sentences delivering all essential information without redundancy. It front-loads the primary action and then clarifies the analysis components and the length constraint, every sentence earning its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite the lack of an output schema, the description adequately conveys the tool's purpose and expected outputs (sentiment, themes, insights). It does not fully describe the return structure or failure behavior (e.g., what happens if the entry is too short), but for a single-parameter tool, the description is reasonably complete.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The schema already has 100% coverage for the single parameter entry_id, describing it as 'The ID of the journal entry to finalize'. The description adds no additional parameter-level detail, which is acceptable given the simplicity and high schema coverage. Baseline 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb ('finalize') with a clear resource ('journal entry') and states the main outcome ('generate AI analysis'). It distinguishes this from sibling tools like create/list/get/search by emphasizing the finalization and analysis generation aspect.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides a clear prerequisite ('Entry must have at least 100 characters'), implying that it should be used only for entries meeting that length. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use this tool or name alternative tools like journal_get_weekly_review for broader analysis.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

journal_get_entryA

Get a specific journal entry by ID, including its AI analysis and insights.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
entry_idYesThe ID of the journal entry to retrieve
include_analysisNoWhether to include AI analysis (default: true)

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden. It discloses that the response includes AI analysis and insights, which is useful behavioral context. However, it does not mention error behavior, authorization needs, or any side effects, though the verb 'Get' implies a read-only operation.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, front-loaded sentence that directly states the action and key context without any wasted words. It is concise and immediately informative.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple GET-by-ID tool with two parameters and no output schema, the description covers the main return content (the entry) and the optional analysis. While it lacks error-case details, the overall context is sufficient given the tool's low complexity and sibling context.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so the parameters are already documented. The description adds context about AI analysis, which aligns with the include_analysis parameter, but does not provide additional syntax or format details. Baseline 3 is appropriate given the schema handles parameter documentation.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the action ('Get'), the specific resource ('a specific journal entry'), and the method ('by ID'), which distinguishes it from sibling tools like list_entries and search. It is a specific verb+resource+scope construction.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no explicit when-to-use or exclusions, only implying via the name that it is for fetching a single entry by ID. It does not mention alternatives like list_entries or search, leaving the agent to infer the appropriate use case.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

journal_get_weekly_reviewA

Get a weekly review summarizing journaling activity, emotional trends, and insights. Use "latest" to get the most recent review.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
weekNoWeek identifier: "latest" for most recent, or a specific review ID

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the burden. It clearly identifies this as a read-only get operation (via 'Get') and describes the content returned, but it does not disclose any additional behavioral traits such as prerequisites, rate limits, or whether the review is computed on demand versus stored. It provides minimal context beyond what the name already implies.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two short sentences convey the purpose and the key parameter hint without waste. No redundant or verbose wording.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool is simple with a single parameter and no output schema. The description explains the high-level output (summary of activity, emotional trends, insights) but does not specify the output format or any edge cases. Given the tool's simplicity and full schema coverage, it is adequate though not exhaustive.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already fully documents the 'week' parameter. The description's 'Use "latest" to get the most recent review' restates what the schema already says, adding no new semantic value. Baseline 3 is appropriate for high schema coverage.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses the specific verb 'Get' with the resource 'weekly review' and explicitly mentions what it summarizes (journaling activity, emotional trends, insights), clearly distinguishing it from sibling tools like journal_get_entry or journal_get_writing_style.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies usage when a user wants an aggregated weekly summary rather than individual entries, but it does not explicitly state when to use this over alternatives or provide exclusions. The only usage hint given is the 'latest' parameter value, which is about parameter selection rather than tool selection.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

journal_get_writing_styleA

Get the user's preferred writing style, tone, and personalized journaling suggestions.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only restates the action of getting a style without mentioning whether it is read-only, what it returns, or any side effects. This is minimal disclosure, barely beyond the tool name.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, clear sentence that conveys the tool's purpose without any redundant language. It is perfectly concise and front-loaded.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool with no parameters and no output schema, the description sufficiently communicates what the tool returns (writing style, tone, suggestions). It is complete enough for a simple getter, though it could optionally mention that the response is personalized.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The tool has zero parameters, so the baseline is 4. The description does not need to explain parameters since there are none, and it stays silent on them, which is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb ('Get') and names a distinct resource ('user's preferred writing style, tone, and personalized journaling suggestions'). This clearly differentiates it from sibling tools that focus on journal entry creation, retrieval, or search.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description does not explicitly state when to use this tool or mention alternatives. However, the resource 'writing style' implies it should be used when you need the user's stylistic preferences, which is contextual but not explicitly guided.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

journal_list_entriesA

List journal entries from JournalOwl. Use filters to find specific entries by date, status, or tags.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
tagsNoComma-separated list of tags to filter by
limitNoMaximum number of entries to return (default: 20, max: 50)
offsetNoNumber of entries to skip for pagination
statusNoFilter by entry status
to_dateNoEnd date filter (ISO 8601 format)
from_dateNoStart date filter (ISO 8601 format, e.g., "2024-01-01")

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations, the description carries the burden. It implies a read operation ('List') and filter capabilities, but does not disclose behavioral details like ordering, pagination behavior, tag matching semantics, or any authentication requirements. It adds some context but not rich behavioral disclosure.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two short, front-loaded sentences: the first states the main action, the second summarizes filter capabilities. No redundant words; every sentence earns its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple read-only list tool with fully documented optional parameters, the description covers the core purpose and filter categories. There is no output schema, so explaining return format is unnecessary. Missing explicit pagination guidance, but the schema already defines limit and offset.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds a helpful grouping of filters (date, status, tags) that maps to the schema, but it does not add meaning beyond what each parameter description already provides.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb ('List') with a clear resource ('journal entries') and source ('JournalOwl'), and mentions filter dimensions. It does not explicitly compare with siblings like journal_get_entry or journal_search, but 'list' vs 'get' vs 'search' is inherently distinguishing enough.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description clearly states the tool is for listing journal entries and using filters by date, status, or tags, conveying the main use case. However, it does not mention when to prefer this over journal_search or journal_get_entry, nor does it include exclusion cues.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 7 tool updatesv0.2.0
    • First observedjournal_create_entry
    • First observedjournal_finalize_entry
    • First observedjournal_get_entry
    • First observedjournal_get_weekly_review
    • First observedjournal_get_writing_style
    • First observedjournal_list_entries
    • First observedjournal_search

TDQS

A3.9/5.0

Scored across 7 tools

Disambiguation4/5

Each tool targets a distinct action, but journal_list_entries and journal_search both retrieve entries with different filter types (metadata vs text), which could cause minor confusion. Overall the purposes are clear.

Naming Consistency4/5

All tools share the journal_ prefix and use snake_case, but journal_search is verb-only while others follow verb_noun (e.g., journal_get_entry), creating a slight inconsistency.

Tool Count5/5

Seven tools is well-scoped for a journaling server, covering creation, retrieval, search, and analysis without unnecessary redundancy or bloat.

Completeness3/5

The create-read workflow is well-covered (create, finalize, list, get, search), but there are no update or delete tools for entries, and no way to modify writing style preferences, creating notable lifecycle gaps.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo issues

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