
MCP Outline Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enabling AI assistants to interact with Outline documentation services.
what is MCP Outline Server?
MCP Outline Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI assistants to interact with Outline documentation services, bridging natural language interactions with document management capabilities.
how to use MCP Outline Server?
To use the MCP Outline Server, clone the repository, install the necessary dependencies, configure your Outline API key, and run the server. You can then interact with the server using commands to manage documents.
key features of MCP Outline Server?
- Document Search: Search for documents by keywords.
- Collection Management: List collections and view document structure.
- Document Reading: Read document content and export as markdown.
- Comment Management: View and add comments on documents.
- Document Creation: Create new documents in collections.
- Document Editing: Update document content and move documents.
- Backlink Management: View documents that link to a specific document.
use cases of MCP Outline Server?
- Searching for project-related documents.
- Managing collections of documents for team collaboration.
- Reading and exporting document content for reports.
- Adding comments for feedback on documents.
- Creating and organizing new documents within Outline.
FAQ from MCP Outline Server?
- What are the prerequisites to run MCP Outline Server?
You need Python 3.10+, an Outline account with API access, and an Outline API key.
- Is there a way to contribute to the project?
Yes! Contributions are welcome, and you can submit a Pull Request.
- What license is MCP Outline Server under?
The project is licensed under the MIT License.
MCP Outline Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enabling AI assistants to interact with Outline (https://www.getoutline.com)
Overview
This project implements a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants (like Claude) to interact with Outline document services, providing a bridge between natural language interactions and Outline's document management capabilities.
Features
Currently implemented:
- Document Search: Search for documents by keywords
- Collection Management: List collections and view document structure
- Document Reading: Read document content, export as markdown
- Comment Management: View and add comments on documents
- Document Creation: Create new documents in collections
- Document Editing: Update document content and move documents
- Backlink Management: View documents that link to a specific document
Getting Started
Prerequisites
- Python 3.10+
- Outline account with API access
- Outline API key (get this from your Outline account settings)
Installation
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/Vortiago/mcp-outline.git
cd mcp-outline
# Install in development mode
uv pip install -e ".[dev]"
Configuration
Create a .env
file in the project root with the following variables:
# Outline API Configuration
OUTLINE_API_KEY=your_outline_api_key_here
# For cloud-hosted Outline (default)
# OUTLINE_API_URL=https://app.getoutline.com/api
# For self-hosted Outline
# OUTLINE_API_URL=https://your-outline-instance.example.com/api
Running the Server
# Development mode with the MCP Inspector
mcp dev src/mcp_outline/server.py
# Or use the provided script
./start_server.sh
# Install in Claude Desktop (if available)
mcp install src/mcp_outline/server.py --name "Document Outline Assistant"
Usage Examples
Search for Documents
Search for documents containing "project planning"
List Collections
Show me all available collections
Read a Document
Get the content of document with ID "docId123"
Create a New Document
Create a new document titled "Research Report" in collection "colId456" with content "# Introduction\n\nThis is a research report..."
Add a Comment
Add a comment to document "docId123" saying "This looks great, but we should add more details to the methodology section."
Move a Document
Move document "docId123" to collection "colId789"
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.
Development
# Run tests
uv run pytest tests/
# Format code
uv run ruff format .
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Acknowledgments
- Built with MCP Python SDK
- Uses Outline API for document management