Best for
- Individual learners already using Anki and AnkiConnect.
- Users who want AI-guided review, explanations, and dynamic card creation.
- Users connecting local Anki to Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline, or Zed.
A
ai.ankimcp/anki-mcp-server
Community
Manage Anki learning through AI conversation.
GitHub source repository ↗
62FMRS · C
Based on the supplied repository, manifest, and README, this is an independent MIT-licensed Anki integration that exposes 42 MCP tools through AnkiConnect. The manifest lists version 0.18.4, while the README's current-status section states 0.22.0, so the version information is inconsistent.
Anki MCP Server connects AI assistants to Anki flashcards through AnkiConnect. It supports reviews, decks, notes, media, tags, models, templates, statistics, and selected Anki desktop GUI workflows. The project is in active beta development, so APIs and features may change.
Tools
sync
Synchronize data with AnkiWeb.
get_due_cards
Get cards due for review, optionally filtered by deck.
get_cards
Filter cards by state and deck.
present_card
Present a card's question or front side.
rate_card
Record a review rating and schedule the next review.
listDecks
List decks, optionally with card statistics.
deckStats
Get comprehensive statistics for one deck.
createDeck
Create an empty deck with up to two hierarchy levels.
changeDeck
Move cards to another deck, creating it if needed.
addNote
Create one note with fields and tags.
addNotes
Batch-create up to 100 notes sharing a deck and model.
findNotes
Search notes using Anki query syntax.
notesInfo
Get detailed note fields, tags, and styling information.
updateNoteFields
Update note fields with HTML support while preserving styling.
deleteNotes
Delete notes and associated cards; confirmation is required.
getTags
Get all tags in the collection.
addTags
Add tags to specified notes.
removeTags
Remove tags from specified notes.
replaceTags
Rename a tag across specified notes.
clearUnusedTags
Remove orphaned tags unused by notes.
getMediaFilesNames
List media filenames, optionally filtered by pattern.
retrieveMediaFile
Read a media file as Base64 content.
storeMediaFile
Upload media from Base64 data, an absolute path, or a URL.
deleteMediaFile
Delete a media file from the media collection.
modelNames
List available note types.
modelFieldNames
Get field names for a note type.
modelStyling
Get CSS styling for a note type.
modelTemplates
Get card templates for a note type.
createModel
Create a note type with custom fields, templates, and CSS.
updateModelStyling
Update note-type CSS for all its cards.
updateModelTemplates
Update card templates for all cards of a note type.
addModelField
Add a field to a note type.
removeModelField
Remove a note-type field; explicit confirmation is required.
renameModelField
Rename a note-type field.
repositionModelField
Change a field's position in a note type.
collection_stats
Get aggregate statistics with per-deck details.
review_stats
Analyze review history, retention, and study streaks.
guiBrowse
Open the Card Browser and search for cards.
guiSelectCard
Select a card in the Card Browser.
guiSelectedNotes
Get IDs of currently selected notes.
guiAddCards
Open the Add Cards dialog with preset note details.
guiEditNote
Open the editor for a specific note.
guiDeckOverview
Open the overview dialog for a deck.
guiDeckBrowser
Open the Deck Browser dialog.
guiCurrentCard
Get current-card information in review mode.
guiShowQuestion
Show the current card's question.
guiShowAnswer
Show the current card's answer.
guiUndo
Undo the last Anki action.
Setup
Install Anki and the AnkiConnect plugin, and confirm that AnkiConnect uses http://localhost:8765. Install Node.js 22.12.0 or newer. Run the server with npx and add the configuration above to an MCP client that supports STDIO; Claude Desktop can also install the project's MCPB bundle.
claude_desktop_config.json
{"mcpServers":{"anki-mcp":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@ankimcp/anki-mcp-server","--stdio"],"env":{"ANKI_CONNECT_URL":"http://localhost:8765"}}}}
Fit and risk
Not for
- Users without the Anki desktop application or AnkiConnect.
- Organizations requiring official Anki support or an official integration.
- Remote users seeking only review workflows; GUI tools are intended for editing and creation, not review sessions.
Required permissions
- Requires access to the configured AnkiConnect URL, which defaults to local http://localhost:8765.
- Write operations can create, modify, move, and delete Anki content; deletion tools require explicit confirmation.
- Media imports may read specified file paths or URLs, subject to media security settings.
- If AnkiWeb sync is enabled, the Anki application synchronizes directly with AnkiWeb.
Risks and side effects
- The project is explicitly in beta, and APIs and features may change.
- Deleting notes permanently removes associated cards; clearing tags, deleting media, and removing fields can also cause data loss.
- updateNoteFields may silently fail while the note is being viewed in Anki's browser.
- ngrok mode is unauthenticated, so anyone with the URL may reach Anki; the managed Tunnel requires login authentication.
- Remote HTTP exposure requires correct ALLOWED_HOSTS configuration; misconfiguration can cause rejected requests or broader exposure.
Troubleshooting
- Confirm that Anki is running and AnkiConnect is installed.
- Check ANKI_CONNECT_URL, API version, API key, and the default 5000 ms timeout.
- Confirm that Node.js is at least 22.12.0.
- Use --stdio for STDIO clients; HTTP mode defaults to 127.0.0.1:3000.
- Close the note in Anki's browser or switch to another note before updating it.
- For remote or non-loopback access, check ALLOWED_HOSTS, ALLOWED_ORIGINS, and tunnel settings.
Use cases
Review a selected deck conversationally and record Again, Hard, Good, or Easy ratings.
Batch-create vocabulary cards with custom fields, templates, and RTL styling.
Search and edit notes while managing tags and media files.
Inspect deck, collection, and review-history statistics.
Supported clients
Claude DesktopFull support
Cursor IDEFull support
ClineFull support
Zed EditorFull support