Anki MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for integrating AI assistants with Anki, the popular spaced repetition flashcard software.

Features

This MCP server enables AI assistants to interact with Anki through the following tools:

Tools

• get-collection-overview: Returns an overview of the Anki collection like available decks, available models and their fields

• add-or-update-notes: Adds new notes or updates existing ones. Allows batch adding/updating multiple notes at once.

• get-cards-reviewed: Get the number of cards reviewed by day

• find-notes: Allows querying notes using the Anki searching syntax

• find-cards: Find card IDs matching a query in Anki

• suspend-cards: Suspend cards by their card IDs

• unsuspend-cards: Unsuspend cards by their card IDs

Resources

• anki://docs/search-syntax: Comprehensive reference guide for Anki's search query syntax. Includes basic operators, field searches, tags, decks, card states, properties, timing, IDs, custom data, and advanced query examples. This resource provides language-agnostic documentation useful for anyone constructing search queries with the find-notes or find-cards tools

Requirements

• Anki must be installed and running
• The AnkiConnect add-on must be installed in Anki and running
• This MCP server uses uv. To install uv, follow the official instructions.

Installation

As a Claude Code plugin (recommended)

Install as a plugin to get both the MCP server and language learning skill in one step:

/plugin install anki-mcp

Manual setup for Claude Code

1. Add the MCP server:

   claude mcp add anki -- uvx anki-mcp
   

2. Optionally, copy the skill files from skills/ into your project's .claude/skills/ directory for language learning guidance.

Claude Desktop

1. Open your Claude Desktop config file:

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

2. Add anki-mcp to the mcpServers section:

   "mcpServers": {
     "anki": {
       "command": "uvx",
       "args": ["anki-mcp"]
     }
   }
   

3. Restart Claude Desktop.

MCP server only

For other MCP-compatible clients, run the server directly:

uvx anki-mcp

Language Learning Skill

This plugin includes a complementary skill that provides best practices for creating effective language learning flashcards. When installed as a plugin, the skill is automatically available. The skill includes:

• Recommended workflow for card creation
• Card quality guidelines (length, content, cloze usage)
• Note type variety recommendations
• Examples of good vs bad cards
• Proficiency level guidelines (CEFR A1-C2)

The MCP server works independently of the skill, so you can use it for any Anki workflow — not just language learning.