Model Context Protocol

Let your AI
manage your ideas.

IdeasBox exposes an MCP server so Claude Code, or any MCP-compatible client, can create, edit, and manage ideas, inspiration, resources, and item-linked todos.

Setup

Add the IdeasBox MCP server to your Claude Code configuration. Use browser approval for interactive sessions or an API key for automation.

1

Add the MCP server

Run this in your terminal:

claude mcp add --scope user ideasbox -- \
  npx -y @ideasbox/mcp
2

Authenticate

On first use, Claude Code can print a URL. Open it in your browser, sign in to IdeasBox, and click Approve. For non-interactive clients, create an API key in Settings and set IDEASBOX_API_KEY.

3

Start using it

Ask Claude to capture inspiration, create ideas and resources, manage todos, and update settings. Start with read_before_use. For plain-text instructions, use ideasbox.live/llm.

Available tools

The MCP server gives your AI full access to your IdeasBox account.

read_before_use

Returns usage instructions and conventions. Must be called first.

list_ideas

List ideas with pagination. Supports page, page_size, and an optional type filter.

list_inspiration

List all your unfinished inspiration.

list_resources

List all resources for the authenticated user.

search_items

Run full-text search across ideas, inspiration, and resources with pagination and an optional type filter.

batch_move_items

Move up to 100 existing items between idea, inspiration, and resource in one call. This only changes type.

create_idea

Create a new finished idea with a name and content.

create_inspiration

Capture rough inspiration or an unfinished thought.

create_resource

Create a new resource for reference material, notes, or research.

promote_inspiration

Promote inspiration to a finished idea when it's ready.

get_idea

Read a specific idea, inspiration, or resource in full.

update_idea

Update an idea, inspiration, or resource's name, content, read status, or type.

delete_idea

Permanently delete an idea, inspiration, or resource.

list_todos

List todos for a specific idea, inspiration, or resource with pagination.

create_todo

Create a todo linked to a specific item.

update_todo

Update a todo's text or completion state.

delete_todo

Permanently delete a todo.

get_settings

Read your settings (words per minute).

update_settings

Change your reading speed setting.

All collection-returning MCP tools are paginated. Use page and page_size. Paginated responses return items plus a pagination object with total counts and next/previous-page flags.

Security

Device auth flow

Interactive clients can request browser approval without copying long-lived credentials into the terminal.

API keys for automation

Create revocable API keys in Settings and pass them as IDEASBOX_API_KEY for non-interactive MCP clients.

Canonical instructions

Keep ideasbox.live/llm and api.ideasbox.live/mcp/instructions as the machine-oriented references.

Ready to connect?

One command, then authenticate with browser approval or an API key.

claude mcp add --scope user ideasbox -- \
  npx -y @ideasbox/mcp