Practical overview
When it fits
Use DocsAgent when an MCP-compatible client needs to search or work with a personal library across Zotero, Obsidian and, on macOS, Apple Notes.
Who it is for
- People who want an MCP-compatible AI client to search a personal Zotero library or Obsidian vault.
- macOS users who also want to include Apple Notes.
- Developers setting up local knowledge retrieval for a compatible MCP client.
Documented uses
- Search Zotero items, annotations and notes, or search an Obsidian vault.
- Retrieve ranked passages and snippets from indexed sources.
- Connect supported sources to a single mixed search.
- Use MCP tools to read and, when enabled, write supported knowledge sources.
Requirements & limits
The repository documents npm and Python distribution paths. The Python package instructions build from the repository. The bundled core is documented for macOS, Windows x64 and Linux x64; Linux ARM is not supported. Apple Notes is macOS-only.
- The core is a separate resident service and must be started before the MCP shell connects.
- Writes are disabled by default and require configuration to register the write tools.
- The package offers stdio for local MCP clients and Streamable HTTP with authentication and RBAC options for remote deployment.
- The MCP shell is TypeScript, with a feature-equal Python wrapper documented against the same tools and JSON-RPC contract.
- The repository is public, but no license is specified in its license field.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Start the core and connect an MCP client
Set up the DocsAgent core and configure a compatible MCP client to connect through the documented stdio shell.
Before you start
- The DocsAgent repository and its bundled core for the platform.
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline or Qwen Code.
- A supported source configured for indexing.
Steps
Run the command below to start the core.
npx @docsagent/docsagent startAdd the documented
docsagentserver entry to the client'smcpServersconfiguration, usingnpxand@docsagent/docsagent.Start the MCP shell through the client; it connects to the running core and checks source and index status.
Expected outcome
The MCP client is configured to connect to the DocsAgent core and access its available tools.
Guide limitations
- The core must be running before the shell starts; the shell does not spawn it.
- Apple Notes is available only on macOS.
- The guide covers connection setup, not a particular search or write workflow.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 16 October 2026
- Original website title
- docsagent/docsagent · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

