anki-mcp-server

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A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that connects Claude and Anki, allowing you to create, manage, and enrich flashcard decks through natural language — without ever opening the Anki UI.

Requirements

• Python 3.9 or higher
• Anki 2.1.x or higher
• AnkiConnect add-on
• Claude Desktop (or any MCP-compatible client)

Installation

1. Set up Anki and AnkiConnect

1. Install Anki.
2. Install the AnkiConnect add-on:
   • In Anki, go to Tools > Add-ons > Get Add-ons
   • Enter code 2055492159 and click OK
   • Restart Anki
3. Verify it works by visiting http://localhost:8765 — you should see AnkiConnect v.6.

2. Install anki-mcp-server

git clone https://github.com/dhkim0124/anki-mcp-server.git
cd anki-mcp-server

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Configure Claude Desktop

Edit your Claude Desktop config file:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "anki-mcp": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/anki_server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Usage

With Anki running in the background, you can ask Claude things like:

• “Create a Python deck with Code style and add 10 cards about decorators”
• “Show me my decks and their stats”
• “Search for cards tagged ‘sql’ and update the one about indexes”
• “Create a custom dark-mode deck with fields: Word, Definition, Example, Audio”
• “Upload this image and attach it to a new card in my Biology deck”
• “Sync my collection with AnkiWeb”

The server guides the conversation — it asks clarifying questions about deck, style, and card type before creating anything, and always asks for confirmation before destructive operations.

Available Tools

Deck Management

Card Operations