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How to connect Claude to Obsidian

No official connector exists, but Claude Desktop and Claude Code can read and edit your Obsidian vault through a community add-on.

Picks
5
ranked

To connect Claude to Obsidian, install the Local REST API community plugin in Obsidian, then add an MCP server in Claude Desktop or Claude Code with the setup box above. Neither Anthropic nor Obsidian ships an official connector. Claude on the web and phone cannot reach a vault on your computer. Before you start, know that these add-ons let Claude overwrite and delete notes, so test on a copy of your vault first.

Good for

  • Obsidian users who want Claude to search and summarize their notes
  • Claude Desktop users who want to draft and edit notes by chat
  • Claude Code users who keep a vault next to their projects
  • Anyone who wants read-only access to a private vault

Install Claude

Claude Code

  1. 1

    Copy this prompt.

    Add the Claude MCP server to Claude Code. Run this command:

claude mcp add --transport http obsidian https://127.0.0.1:27124/mcp/ --header "Authorization: Bearer <OBSIDIAN_API_KEY>"

Ask me for OBSIDIAN_API_KEY and only put the values in that config, nowhere else.

Then check that it loaded and tell me if I need to sign in or restart.
  2. 2

    Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Claude Code on a paid plan or Console account, Local REST API plugin 5.4.0 or later, Obsidian open.

Copy the API key from Obsidian Settings > Local REST API, and use plugin version 5.4.0 or later. If you see a certificate error, trust the plugin's certificate or turn on its HTTP server and use the http address on port 27123.

From the project README. Source.

Connect Claude to Obsidian and run your first task

Claude

  1. 1

    Install the Local REST API plugin in Obsidian

    Open Settings > Community plugins and turn off Restricted mode. Choose Browse, search for "Local REST API with MCP", then Install and Enable. Community plugins run third-party code, so try a test vault first.

  2. 2

    Check the version and copy the API key

    Use version 5.4.0 or later, which fixes three high-severity security bugs. Then open Settings > Local REST API and copy the API key.

  3. 3

    Add the server to Claude

    Use the setup box above. Claude Desktop needs a restart afterwards. Claude Code can use the one-line command for the plugin's built-in endpoint or the mcp-obsidian command.

    Tip: If Claude shows a certificate error, enable the plugin's HTTP server in its settings and use the http address instead.

    Uses mcp-obsidian

  4. 4

    Search your vault

    Start with a read-only question to check the connection.

    Prompt
    Search my Obsidian vault for notes that mention "quarterly review" and list each one with a one-line summary.

    Uses mcp-obsidian

  5. 5

    Create a note

    Ask Claude to write a new file in a folder you name, then check the result in Obsidian.

    Prompt
    Create a note called "Meeting notes 2026-11-02" in my Meetings folder with these bullet points: budget review, hiring plan, next steps.

    Uses mcp-obsidian

  6. 6

    Add to an existing note

    Ask Claude to append to the end of a note. Edits under a specific heading can fail with mcp-obsidian on Local REST API 5.x.

    Prompt
    Read my note "Project Atlas" and append a Next steps section at the end with three action items based on what it says.

    Uses mcp-obsidian

Permissions

Medium risk

Claude can overwrite or delete notes in your vault, and the plugin it relies on has had serious security bugs. Back up your vault, run Local REST API 5.4.0 or later, and use MCPVault with its read-only flag if you only need to read.

What it can do

  • Read your data
  • Create and change things
  • Delete things
  • Read-only mode

Watch out for

  • Older plugin versions have serious security holes

    Three high-severity bugs let writes escape the vault or plant plugin code. Run Local REST API 5.4.0 or later. github.com

  • It can overwrite and delete notes

    The tools can overwrite, move and delete files, and the plugin's endpoint can run Obsidian commands. Back up your vault and test on a copy first. github.com

  • Claude can read your whole vault

    Anything in the vault can be pulled into a chat. Keep private notes in a separate vault. forum.obsidian.md

  • The API key sits in plain text

    Anyone who can read your Claude config or the plugin folder can use the key. Do not sync or share those files. github.com

  • mcp-obsidian may not check ../ in paths

    An open report says paths with ../ are not checked. Prefer a server with path limits if you need strict control. github.com

Security advisories

Technical details
Turning on read-onlymcp-obsidian and the plugin's built-in endpoint have no read-only mode. MCPVault has a --read-only flag and obsidian-mcp-server has OBSIDIAN_READ_ONLY=true.
Talks to127.0.0.1:27124 (HTTPS) or 27123 (HTTP), on your computer only
Sign-in and keysThe API key is stored in plain text in the plugin's data.json inside .obsidian and in your Claude config.
Scopes

  • Local REST API key: full access to the vault

Where it works

WhereStatusNote
claude.aiNot availableNo official Obsidian connector. Custom connectors need a public HTTPS address, so a vault on your computer cannot be reached.
Claude DesktopCommunity serverAdd mcp-obsidian or another community server in the config file. Needs Obsidian running with the Local REST API plugin.
Claude CodeCommunity serverConnect to the Local REST API plugin's built-in endpoint with one command, or run Claude Code inside the vault folder.
Claude mobileNot availableThe mobile apps cannot reach a server on your computer, and no mobile route is documented.
ChatGPTCommunity serverNo official connector. Developer mode can use a community server only if you host it or tunnel it to the internet.
GeminiCommunity serverNo Gemini app integration. Gemini CLI can run local community servers.
Microsoft CopilotCommunity serverNo Microsoft Copilot integration. GitHub Copilot in VS Code can run local community servers.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT has no ready route to a local vault. Use Claude if you want the shortest path.

Plan: Unclear. MCPVault's README says ChatGPT Desktop setup needs Enterprise, Education or Team, not individual Plus.

What it can do

  • Custom MCP servers are added through Developer Mode, if your plan allows it.

Limits

  • There is no official Obsidian connector for ChatGPT.
  • ChatGPT needs a server it can reach over the internet, so a vault on your own computer needs hosting or a tunnel.
  • Some users hit a "does not support developer MCPs" error inside Projects.

Claude

Claude is the only assistant with documented setup paths for a local vault. Pick Claude Desktop or Claude Code.

Plan: Claude Desktop on any plan, or Claude Code on Pro, Max, Ultra, Team or Enterprise (or a Console account).

What it can do

  • Search your vault and read notes by name or topic.
  • Create, append to and edit notes by chat.
  • Claude Code can also work directly in the vault folder without any add-on.

Limits

  • claude.ai in the browser and the phone apps cannot reach a vault on your computer, because custom connectors need a public HTTPS address.
  • Obsidian must stay open for the Local REST API routes, but not for MCPVault or obsidian-mcp.

Plugs to turn on

  • mcp-obsidian: Most-used server for Claude Desktop; needs the Local REST API plugin.
  • MCPVault: Reads the vault folder directly, has a read-only flag, and Obsidian need not be open.

Microsoft Copilot

Do not confuse the Copilot for Obsidian plugin with Microsoft Copilot. They are unrelated.

Plan: GitHub Copilot in VS Code (check your organization's MCP policy).

What it can do

  • GitHub Copilot in VS Code can use local or HTTP MCP servers from .vscode/mcp.json.

Limits

  • Microsoft 365 Copilot has no Obsidian integration.
  • "Copilot for Obsidian" is a separate plugin from another company, not Microsoft's Copilot.

Gemini

Gemini works with Obsidian only through Gemini CLI, which can run the same local community servers. No Obsidian setup is documented for Gemini.

Plan: Gemini CLI (no paid plan named in its docs).

What it can do

  • Gemini CLI can run local MCP servers listed under mcpServers in its settings file, or added with gemini mcp add.

Limits

  • The Gemini app has no Obsidian integration.
  • One open report says Gemini models rejected mcp-obsidian's tool list with a 400 error in opencode.

Top picks

mcp-obsidian is first as the most-starred Obsidian server; the rest are ranked by recent maintenance, then stars. The Local REST API plugin's own MCP endpoint is not ranked here because it is a plugin, not a standalone server.

  1. 1
    mcp-obsidianMost usedLocaltoken in env

    The most-starred Obsidian server. It needs the Local REST API plugin, and editing under a heading fails on plugin 5.x.

    4,513 GitHub stars
  2. 2MCPVault logo
    MCPVaultLocalNo sign-in

    Reads the vault folder directly, so Obsidian need not be open and no plugin is needed. Has a read-only flag and asks before deleting.

    1,708 GitHub stars
  3. 3obsidian-mcp-server logo
    obsidian-mcp-serverLocalAPI key

    Best permission controls: read-only switch, allowed and denied folders, delete confirmation. Needs Local REST API 4.0 or later. Offers a bundle for Claude Desktop.

    698 GitHub stars
  4. 4obsidian-mcp logo
    obsidian-mcpLocalNo sign-in

    Works on your Markdown files directly and sends deletes to the trash by default. Needs Node 22 or later.

    749 GitHub stars
  5. 5
    MCP Tools for Obsidian

    A plugin-based option that forum users run with Claude Desktop. Last release was May 2026.

    830 GitHub stars

Verdict

Use mcp-obsidian with Claude Desktop, or the Local REST API plugin's built-in endpoint with Claude Code. Pick MCPVault if you want read-only access or do not want Obsidian running. Test on a copy of your vault first.

Our pick: mcp-obsidian

Use mcp-obsidian with Claude Desktop, or the Local REST API plugin's built-in endpoint with Claude Code. Pick MCPVault if you want read-only access or do not want Obsidian running.

More

Test on a copy of your vault first.

Best for

  • Claude Desktop users who already run Obsidian all day
  • Claude Code users who want a single command
  • People who want read-only access (MCPVault or obsidian-mcp-server)

Skip it if

  • You only use claude.ai in the browser or on your phone
  • You cannot back up your vault first
  • You will not install community plugins

Questions

Is there an official Obsidian connector for Claude?

No. Neither Anthropic nor Obsidian offers one. You connect Claude through a community add-on, using the setup box above.

Can claude.ai in the browser read my Obsidian vault?

No. Custom connectors on claude.ai need a public HTTPS address, and your vault runs on your own computer. Use Claude Desktop or Claude Code instead. Anthropic's tunnel option is an Enterprise-only research preview.

Does Claude work with Obsidian on iPhone or Android?

No documented route. The Claude mobile apps cannot reach a server on your computer, and a request for mobile support on the Local REST API plugin was closed.

Do I need the Local REST API plugin?

Not always. mcp-obsidian and obsidian-mcp-server need it. MCPVault and obsidian-mcp read your vault folder directly, and Claude Code can work inside the vault folder with no add-on.

Does Obsidian have to be open for Claude to read my notes?

Yes for the Local REST API routes, including mcp-obsidian. No for MCPVault and obsidian-mcp.

Is it free?

The add-ons are free and open source. Claude Desktop works on any plan, while Claude Code needs Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise or a Console account.

Is it safe to give Claude write and delete access to my vault?

Only with care. These add-ons can overwrite and delete notes, so back up your vault first. Use MCPVault or obsidian-mcp-server if you want read-only mode, and run Local REST API 5.4.0 or later.

Can I make Claude read-only on my vault?

Yes with MCPVault (the read-only flag) or obsidian-mcp-server (its read-only setting). mcp-obsidian and the plugin's built-in endpoint have no read-only mode.

Why does Claude Desktop say "Server disconnected"?

On Windows this is often because Claude cannot find uvx. Run which uvx and put the full path in the config. On a plugin with a self-signed certificate, trust the certificate or use the plugin's HTTP port.

Can ChatGPT connect to Obsidian?

Not easily. There is no official connector, and ChatGPT needs a server reachable over the internet, so a local vault needs hosting or a tunnel.

Information

updated Nov 1, 2026

Made by
Anthropic
Connector directory
claude.ai/directory

In the Claude directory

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 27
  1. Local REST API with MCP README · github.com
  2. mcp-obsidian README · github.com
  3. Claude Code quickstart · code.claude.com
  4. Community plugins - Obsidian Help · obsidian.md
  5. Add a connector that isn't in the directory · claude.com
  6. patch_content fails with error 40084 against Local REST API 5.x · github.com
  7. Local REST API releases · github.com
  8. GHSA-62gx-5q78-wrvx · github.com
  9. GHSA-j9qv-qgpv-345g · github.com
  10. GHSA-66m9-r757-qvq7 · github.com
  11. mcp-obsidian path checks issue · github.com
  12. MCPVault README · github.com
  13. obsidian-mcp-server README · github.com
  14. Obsidian MCP servers: experiences and recommendations · forum.obsidian.md
  15. Obsidian CLI - Obsidian Help · obsidian.md
  16. MCP tunnels overview · claude.com
  17. Mobile support request · github.com
  18. obsidian-mcp README · github.com
  19. uvx not found on Windows · github.com
  20. Integration request: Obsidian <-> OpenAI (ChatGPT Connectors) · forum.obsidian.md
  21. ChatGPT cannot call local MCP tools · github.com
  22. github.com · github.com
  23. Gemini CLI MCP servers · github.com
  24. MCP servers in VS Code · code.visualstudio.com
  25. Developer MCP obsidian connector works in one project but fails in another · community.openai.com
  26. Copilot for Obsidian · github.com
  27. Gemini rejects tool list · github.com

Updated Nov 1, 2026.