How do I use io.github.markusvankempen/literature-clock-mcp?

1. Click on "Deploy Server". 2. Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state. 3. In the chat, type @ followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@io.github.markusvankempen/literature-clock-mcp what's the literary quote for this minute?" 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.

io.github.markusvankempen/literature-clock-mcp

by markusvankempen

Overview Schema Source Related Servers Discussions Admin

JavaScript

Hybrid

Client pages

clients/ is a set of HTML pages for Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop, a browser that calls get_quote, a page that subscribes to the quote push on GET /events, and a page that reads and changes settings. Open clients/index.html, or serve the folder on localhost so those pages can reach the server.

Related MCP server: mcp-quotes

Add the server

Cursor — ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "literature-clock-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

VS Code — user or workspace mcp.json

{
  "servers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "literature-clock-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop — ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS, %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json on Windows

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "literature-clock-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

From this folder, before that version is on npm, point command at node, args at ["src/index.js"], and cwd at this directory. stdio is the default. npm run http serves the clock at http://127.0.0.1:8788/.

Add a hosted server

The same configs work for Render, IBM Code Engine, or any host that serves this app over HTTPS. The MCP URL is the site plus /mcp. The live Render server is https://literature-clock-mcp.onrender.com/mcp. A Code Engine app looks like https://<app>.<region>.codeengine.appdomain.cloud/mcp.

The host must run MCP_MODE=http HOST=0.0.0.0 node src/index.js and leave PORT for the platform. Deploy steps for Render are under Render.

When auth mode is write or all, add a header Authorization: Bearer <key>. Auth is off on a fresh server, so the blocks below need no key.

Cursor — this project: .cursor/mcp.json. Every project: ~/.cursor/mcp.json.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "url": "https://literature-clock-mcp.onrender.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Save the file. Open Cursor Settings → MCP and turn literature-clock-mcp on. A green dot means the handshake worked. In Agent chat, ask: ask literature-clock-mcp for the current quote.

VS Code — workspace .vscode/mcp.json, or Command Palette → MCP: Open User Configuration.

{
  "servers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://literature-clock-mcp.onrender.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Command Palette → MCP: List Servers → start literature-clock-mcp. In Copilot Chat, confirm the server is selected in the tools list, then ask for the current quote.

Claude Desktop — the desktop file only starts a local process. mcp-remote opens the hosted URL. Config path: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS, %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json on Windows. Quit Claude and open it again after you save.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://literature-clock-mcp.onrender.com/mcp"]
    }
  }
}

The first call after a free Render instance has been idle can take a moment while the process wakes. The clock on the server is that machine’s clock. On Render that is UTC, so “now” is four hours ahead of Toronto.

An MCP server that tells the time the way a literature clock does: one sentence that names that exact minute.

The default source is Literature, Johannes Enevoldsen's literature-clock collection (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5). Books are copyright-free lines bundled with the server. The other sources are original voices written for this clock, not quotations from films or living authors.

No account and no analytics. Books and voices stay on the machine. Literature tries those bundled exact-minute lines first, then the public collection, and falls back to copyright-free books if the library does not answer.


npm	literature-clock-mcp (publish from this folder)
MCP name	`io.github.markusvankempen/literature-clock-mcp`
Name	Literature Clock · package `literature-clock-mcp`
Version	1.6.4 — `package.json`, `server.json`, and `src/version.js` must match
Transports	stdio, Streamable HTTP (`/mcp`), legacy SSE (`/sse`). Each can be turned off in Settings. One stays on.
Source	literature-clock-mcp · Chrome twin chrome-ext-ink-clock

Screenshots

The HTTP clock, with Literature selected for 11:11.

An original voice, not a book quotation.

Settings (laptop sign-in demo / demo). Default source, time zone, 12-hour or 24-hour clock, users and passwords, auth, and rate limit.

Sign-in before Settings on a fresh session.

Features

Feature	Where
Clock page	`/` — Show, Another line, Random, Read aloud. `?source=literature&time=09:05`
Literature, books, mix, surprise, voices	Default source is literature. `list_sources`
Clock, settings, keys, users, log	Each Settings form is a tool: `set_clock`, `set_auth_mode`, `set_audit`, `set_rate_limit`, `set_protocols`, `set_ui_auth`, `set_tool_gate`, `set_tool_lock`, `set_push`. Backup is `export_settings` then `import_settings`. The log is `set_audit`, then `generate_traffic`, then `export_log`. Those need the admin scope even when auth mode is off.
JSON Schema	`list_schemas` then `get_schema`, or `tools/list` on the Tools page
Run a tool	Tools page. Copy JSON, or open the result in a new tab
Resources	`sources://list`, `quote://{source}/{hhmm}`
Prompts	`diagnose-server`, `quote-for-now`, `another-line`, `mix-the-minute`, `voice-at-nine`, `books-for-a-minute`, `read-settings`
Protocols	stdio, Streamable HTTP (`/mcp`), legacy SSE (`/sse`). Settings → Protocols. One stays on
Hide pages until sign-in	Settings → Protocols. JSON and MCP stay available
Health, smoke, traffic	`/health`, `/test`. Traffic needs a sign-in or an API key. It fills the log with reads, a bad time, an unknown schema, and a rejected key
Settings	Clock, security, protocols, push, tool gates, API keys, users, backup
Quote push	Every 5, 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or one line immediately with `push_quote`
Event stream	`GET /events`. The Events client subscribes and can push one line
Log	Counters, errors, call trace, audit trail. Export names the caller (user, API key, or anonymous)
Auth	`off`, `write`, or `all`. Keys and users on Settings. `describe_server` stays open
Client pages	clients/ for Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop, a browser, the event stream, and settings

Quote sources

Source	What you get
literature (default)	Johannes Enevoldsen's collection. Exact-minute bundled copyright-free lines first. If that minute has none, the public JSON feed (safer passages). If the feed does not answer, a copyright-free line, marked as a library fallback.
books	Bundled copyright-free corpus only. An empty minute uses the nearest earlier readable line and says so.
mix	Exact minute from books and every voice.
surprise	One random source, then a line from it.
voices	Original lines: Yoda, Teacher, Pirate, Aussie, Canadian, Cat, Chef, Comedian, Cowboy, Detective, English, French, Hitchhiker, Hockey, Librarian, New Yorker, Pilot, Robot, Scottish, Soccer, Sports, Star Trek, Star Wars, Vampire.

list_sources returns the live catalog, including each voice id.

Tools

Tool	Scope	When to use
`describe_server`	read	First call, and again after any denial. Version, auth mode, tools, and how time and source work.
`list_sources`	read	`literature`, `books`, `mix`, `surprise`, and each voice id.
`get_quote`	read	One or more lines for `HH:MM` or `now`. Omit `source` to use the saved default.
`count_lines`	read	How many local lines each source has for one minute
`get_settings`	read	Clock defaults, auth, rate limit, protocols, tool gates, and the quote schedule, including `clientPush`.
`update_settings`	write	The same values as Settings, including `clientPush`, one tool gate, and one tool lock.
`list_schemas`	read	Names for the line, source, settings, and tool schemas.
`get_schema`	read	JSON Schema for one of those names. A tool name includes `inputSchema` and `outputSchema`.
`push_quote`	write	Send the current quote to open `GET /events` clients now. Off until `clientPush` is on. HTTP only.
`list_users`	admin	Settings → Users. Names and scopes. Passwords are not returned.
`create_user`	admin	Settings → Users → Save user.
`delete_user`	admin	Settings → Users → Remove. The built-in admin stays.
`list_api_keys`	admin	Settings → API keys. The secret is not returned.
`issue_api_key`	admin	Settings → API keys → Issue key. The secret is returned once.
`revoke_api_key`	admin	Settings → API keys → Revoke. Pass the id from `list_api_keys`.
`export_settings`	admin	Settings → Backup → Export. Includes saved-user password hashes. Omits API keys and the MQTT password.
`import_settings`	admin	Settings → Backup → Import. Pass the export object.
`export_log`	admin	Log → Export log and trace.
`push_quote_now`	admin	Settings → Push → Push a quote now. Uses the saved destinations.
`generate_traffic`	read	Test → Generate traffic. Needs any credential, even when auth mode is off. Then call `export_log`.
`set_clock`	admin	Settings → Clock. Then `get_quote` with no source.
`set_auth_mode`	admin	Settings → Security → Apply mode. Then `describe_server`.
`set_audit`	admin	Settings → Security → Call trace. Then `generate_traffic` and `export_log`.
`set_rate_limit`	admin	Settings → Security → Rate limit. Then `describe_server`.
`set_protocols`	admin	Settings → Protocols. Send all three; at least one stays on. Then `describe_server`.
`set_ui_auth`	admin	Hide HTML pages until sign-in. Then `get_settings`.
`set_tool_gate`	admin	Enable or disable one tool. `describe_server` stays available. Then `describe_server`.
`set_tool_lock`	admin	Lock a tool so it needs a credential even when auth mode is off. Then `describe_server`.
`set_push`	admin	Settings → Push → Save schedule. Then `push_quote_now`, or `push_quote` when client push is on.

get_schema for a tool includes inputSchema, outputSchema, and the next call. Follow that next field once. describe_server returns server.version and server.description. The same version is in the page header, on Health, in get_settings, and in the server schema.

get_quote is read-only. Pass avoid with the previous line text to get a different line for the same minute. count is 1–8. Failures set isError: true. An empty lines array means that minute has no row — try literature, books, or mix. Do not invent a quotation.

Example:

{ "time": "09:05", "source": "literature" }

Quote push

The schedule is off until an interval and a destination are saved. The HTTP process sends the current quote from the saved source and time zone. A matching minute is :00, :05, :10, and so on. stdio does not run the schedule. A chat client does not print a push. Call get_quote for a line in the reply.

Destination	What receives the line
Event stream	`GET /events`. SSE event name `quote`. The first frame on connect is `event: ready`.
Legacy SSE	Open `GET /sse` sessions. Notification `notifications/literature-clock/quote`.
Streamable HTTP	Open `POST /mcp` sessions. The same notification.
MQTT	The saved broker and topic. The password is stored and is not returned by `get_settings`.

clientPush lets a client call push_quote without waiting for the minute. That call always includes the event stream, plus any other saved destination. Turn it on under Settings → Push, or with update_settings and "clientPush": true. The Events page has Push a quote now, which calls push_quote. Subscribe first, then press it.

Settings → Push → Push a quote now uses the saved destinations only. Save the schedule before that button. It does not turn clientPush on.

The clock on a host is that machine’s time zone setting. timeZone device is the process zone. On Render that is UTC.

Resources and prompts

Kind	Name
Resource	`sources://list`
Resource	`quote://{source}/{hhmm}` — `quote://literature/09-05`, `quote://pirate/14-30`, or `quote://books/now`
Prompt	`diagnose-server`
Prompt	`quote-for-now`
Prompt	`another-line`
Prompt	`mix-the-minute`
Prompt	`voice-at-nine`
Prompt	`books-for-a-minute`
Prompt	`read-settings`

Run

Published package:

npx literature-clock-mcp                 # stdio
MCP_MODE=http npx literature-clock-mcp   # http://127.0.0.1:8080/health

From this directory before the package is on npm:

npm install
npm test
npm run test:tools
npm run http    # http://127.0.0.1:8788/

URL	What it shows
`/`	Clock. `?source=literature&time=09:05`. Another line skips the line on screen. Random picks a different source. Read speaks the line.
`/admin`	Settings. Laptop sign-in `demo` / `demo` unless `ADMIN_USER` and `ADMIN_PASSWORD` are set. On a public bind the laptop password is off until `ADMIN_PASSWORD` is set. Backup exports and imports settings.
`/health`	Process is up. `cwd` only on localhost.
`/test`	Read-only smoke, plus Generate traffic after a sign-in or `Authorization: Bearer` key (reads, a bad time, an unknown schema, a rejected key).
`/tools`	Tool list. Run `list_schemas` and `get_schema`, or load `tools/list`.
`/help`	Feature list, author, pages, and tools.
`/sse`	Legacy SSE
`/mcp`	Streamable HTTP
`/events`	Plain SSE. Event `ready` on connect, then `quote` when a push runs
`/log`	Call trace, after sign-in, when audit is on

The same settings are get_settings / update_settings, and GET or POST /api/settings.

This checkout

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "literature-clock-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["src/index.js"],
      "cwd": "/absolute/path/to/mcp"
    }
  }
}

The browser UI is HTTP only. stdio does not open a page. Run npm run http, then open http://127.0.0.1:8788/.

Render

render.yaml in the literature-clock-mcp repo starts this server from the repository. A push to main updates literature-clock-mcp.onrender.com. Leave PORT unset so Render can set it. Bind 0.0.0.0.

Start command

MCP_MODE=http HOST=0.0.0.0 node src/index.js

Key	Value
`MCP_MODE`	`http`
`HOST`	`0.0.0.0`
`ADMIN_PASSWORD`	a password you choose. Required on this public address

Health check path: /health.

The clock is https://<your-service>.onrender.com/. The MCP URL is that host plus /mcp. Settings sign-in uses ADMIN_USER (default demo) and ADMIN_PASSWORD. The laptop password demo is off on that public address. IDE setup for that URL, and for Code Engine, is under Add a hosted server.

Example

In Cursor, with literature-clock-mcp.onrender.com connected:

ask literature-clock-mcp for the current quote

The Literature Clock on Render answered for 16:01, the clock on that server. That is 12:01 PM in Toronto.

A little after four o’clock, Pippa meandered over to Dot’s house carrying a bottle of wine she had been keeping in reserve and wondering if she could possibly be pregnant in spite of the vestigial coil still lodged in her uterus like astronaut litter abandoned on the moon.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, by Rebecca Miller. The time phrase is “A little after four o’clock.” The source was Literature.

Auth

Auth defaults to off. Settings and Log show a lock because they need a sign-in.

Mode	Behaviour
`off`	No credential for quote tools. Admin tools and `generate_traffic` still need a credential. A tool can still be locked on its own under Settings → Tool gates.
`write`	`update_settings` and `push_quote` need a key. Read tools stay open. Admin tools need the admin scope.
`all`	Every tool except `describe_server` needs `Authorization: Bearer <key>` or `MCP_API_KEY`. Admin tools need the admin scope.

Variable	What it does
`ADMIN_USER`	Settings sign-in name. Default `demo`.
`ADMIN_PASSWORD`	Settings sign-in password. Default `demo` on this laptop. On a public bind (`HOST=0.0.0.0`, Render, or a container) there is no default: set this before the process starts, then restart. It is not stored in Settings and is not part of an export.
`RATE_LIMIT`	Max tool calls per minute. Default 60.

Issue and revoke keys on /admin. /health only means the process is up; /test runs the quote checks.

Settings → Backup downloads the clock, auth, protocols, schedule (including client push), tool gates, and saved users (password hashes). Import restores that file. API keys and the MQTT password are not in it. Log → Export log and trace downloads counters, errors, the call trace, and the audit trail.

Settings → Tool gates can disable a tool or lock it so it needs a credential even when auth is off. describe_server stays available and stays open.

Settings → Users adds a name and password with scopes read, write, or admin. The built-in admin name comes from ADMIN_USER and is not replaced here. Settings → API keys issues a bearer key. The secret is shown once.

Settings → Protocols turns stdio, Streamable HTTP, and SSE on or off. At least one stays on. The same tab can hide the HTML pages until sign-in. describe_server and update_settings still answer on a protocol that is on, so a turned-off transport can be turned back on.

Publish

See docs/PUBLISHING.md.

npm test
npm run test:tools
npm publish

files in package.json ships src/, data/ (books and voices), this README, docs/screenshots/, docs/icon.png, docs/icon.svg, server.json, LICENSE, and NOTICE. npm run prepack copies the Chrome corpus into data/ before the tarball is built.

npm keywords: mcp, model-context-protocol, mcp-server, literature-clock, ink-clock, quotes, books, voices, stdio, streamable-http, cursor, vscode, claude, clock.

Clock	What it is
Alexa Ink Clock	Alexa skill Ink O'Clock. A line for the minute, read aloud.
Chrome Ink Clock	New-tab and toolbar clock. Copyright-free lines and original voices, bundled in the extension.
Stanza Clock	Chrome new-tab word clock. 8×8 and 16×16 letter plates in seven languages.
ESP-WordClock8x8	English 8×8 WS2812 word clock for ESP32-S3 and ESP8266. The hardware face Stanza Clock matches.

Author

Markus van Kempen · github.com/markusvankempen

No bug too small, no syntax too weird.

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Maintenance

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Resources

GitHub Repository

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