obsidian-local-rest-api
A secure REST API and Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for your vault.
The obsidian-local-rest-api plugin provides both a secure REST API and a built-in Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Obsidian vaults, enabling AI agents and automation scripts to read, create, update, and search notes. It offers authenticated HTTPS access with surgical patch operations for targeting specific headings, blocks, or frontmatter fields without rewriting entire files. The MCP server runs natively inside Obsidian with direct access to vault metadata, the active file, and command palette, making it compatible with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and any client supporting Streamable HTTP MCP. Authentication uses API key bearer tokens, and the plugin generates its own locally-signed certificates for secure connections.
Key Features
Use Cases
- 01Enable AI coding assistants to read project documentation stored in Obsidian and update task lists or status fields
- 02Automate daily note creation and append timestamped entries via scripts or browser extensions
- 03Build custom workflows that search vault content and execute Obsidian commands programmatically
- 04Connect Claude Code or Cursor to query knowledge base notes and insert research findings into codebases
- 05Create integrations that patch specific sections of meeting notes or project trackers without manual file editing
- 06Develop browser extensions that capture web content and append it to designated Obsidian notes
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obsidian-local-rest-api — FAQ
What is obsidian-local-rest-api and what does it do?+
It's an Obsidian plugin that provides both a REST API and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, allowing AI agents, scripts, and browser extensions to read, create, update, search, and delete notes in your vault. All operations are authenticated and served over HTTPS with locally generated certificates.
How do I connect this MCP server to Claude Code?+
Run 'claude mcp add --transport http obsidian https://127.0.0.1:27124/mcp/ --header "Authorization: Bearer <your-api-key>"' from the command line, or manually add the configuration to .mcp.json in your project root. Find your API key under Settings → Local REST API in Obsidian after installing the plugin.
Which AI clients and editors work with this plugin?+
The MCP server works with Claude Code, Claude Desktop (via mcp-remote bridge), Cursor, and any client supporting Streamable HTTP MCP transport. The REST API works with any HTTP client including curl, browser extensions, and custom scripts.
Do I need an API key or external service to use this?+
No external API keys or services are required. The plugin generates its own local API key and self-signed certificates on first run. You only need to install the plugin in Obsidian and copy the generated API key from the settings panel.
Is this plugin free to use?+
Yes, it's open source and available from the Obsidian Community Plugins directory. The plugin runs entirely locally on your machine with no subscription or cloud service fees.
How do I handle certificate warnings when connecting?+
Download the CA certificate from https://127.0.0.1:27124/obsidian-local-rest-api.crt and trust it in your OS or HTTP client, or enable the plain HTTP endpoint at http://127.0.0.1:27123/mcp/ under Settings → Local REST API → Enable HTTP server for connections that don't support custom certificates.
How do I install obsidian-local-rest-api?+
Open the source repository on GitHub and follow its README. obsidian-local-rest-api is a mcp server — MCP Agents Market links you directly to the official repo.
Is obsidian-local-rest-api free?+
obsidian-local-rest-api is an open-source project hosted on GitHub. Check the repository for its license and any usage requirements.