Smart Connections MCP

Name: Smart Connections MCP
Author: msdanyg

by msdanygversion 2.0.1i★ 59iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.msdanyg/smart-connections-mcp

How to install

What it does

Local semantic search over Obsidian vaults via Smart Connections embeddings. Multi-vault, private.

Connects Runs on your computer
Account or key Needs SMART_VAULT_PATH
Category Search & AI memory

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Passed 3/3 checks · Runs on your computer · ✓ Commands checked Nov 13, 2026

First: which AI do you use?

ClaudeWeb · app · phoneChatGPTWebClaude CodeTerminalCursorCode editorVS CodeCode editorOtherOther apps

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude, with some setup first

You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file
SettingsDeveloperEdit Config
Done

Paste these settings and save the file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smart-connections": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "smart-connections-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMART_VAULT_PATH": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone

Done

Quit Claude and open it again
Done
Try it
Use Smart Connections MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using Smart Connections MCP or shows a Smart Connections MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

ChatGPT cannot connect Smart Connections MCP yet

Smart Connections MCP runs on your computer, but ChatGPT can only connect servers that run on the web

What you can do instead

A · Use an app that can connect Smart Connections MCP

Steps for Claude →You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone
Steps for Claude Code →You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
Steps for Cursor →You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
Steps for VS Code →You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

B · Others in Search & AI memory that work with ChatGPT

Picked from the most used in the same category, only ones that connect by address with no key

Context7✓ ChatGPT
AIHOT✓ ChatGPT
Sui Knowledge Base (kapa.ai)✓ ChatGPT

Works with Claude Code, with some setup first

You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done
4
Paste this command and press Enter
```
claude mcp add --scope user smart-connections --env SMART_VAULT_PATH=your-value -- npx -y smart-connections-mcp
```
Replace “your-value” with your key before pressing Enter
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see Smart Connections MCP listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use Smart Connections MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using Smart Connections MCP or shows a Smart Connections MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor, with some setup first

You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Click this button to open Cursor
Open in Cursor
Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Fill in your key
In the Smart Connections MCP settings, SMART_VAULT_PATH is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Smart Connections MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using Smart Connections MCP or shows a Smart Connections MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code, with some setup first

You need a Smart Connections MCP key (create it on the maker’s site) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. Check the maker’s site for pricing and free plans.
How to get a key is in the maker’s README below
Done
Click this button to open VS Code
Open in VS Code
VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Fill in your key
In the Smart Connections MCP settings, SMART_VAULT_PATH is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Smart Connections MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using Smart Connections MCP or shows a Smart Connections MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use Smart Connections MCP💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add --scope user smart-connections --env SMART_VAULT_PATH=your-value -- npx -y smart-connections-mcp

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smart-connections": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "smart-connections-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMART_VAULT_PATH": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smart-connections": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "smart-connections-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMART_VAULT_PATH": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "smart-connections": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "smart-connections-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SMART_VAULT_PATH": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Values you fill in

SMART_VAULT_PATH required env
One or more absolute Obsidian vault paths, comma-separated (alias: SMART_VAULT_PATHS)

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 59
Downloads per weeki: 94/wk
Licence i: MIT
Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Latest versioni: 2.0.1
Categoryi: Search & AI memory
Published to registryi: Aug 22, 2026
Code last changedi: Aug 22, 2026
Maker: msdanyg
Packages: npm: smart-connections-mcp
Repo: msdanyg/smart-connections-mcp
Registry status: Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Run on your computer in

Claude Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Raycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 13, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account msdanyg, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed 3 months ago
✓ Pass
Has a licence
Uses MIT
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

User reviews

No reviews yet

Compared with others in Search & AI memoryi

More stars than 97% of the other 6042 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 30% of the other 6042 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 6042 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Smart Connections MCP safe?

It passed 3 of 3 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

You need to fill in: SMART_VAULT_PATH

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed 3 months ago, and the latest version (2.0.1) reached the registry 3 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Context7, Codebase Memory, Ruflo

Others in the same category

Servers in the same category from other makers, sorted by stars.

Reading a card:↓ Downloads per weeki★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

Context7

Feeds AI the latest docs for libraries and frameworks before it answers, so code it writes does not use outdated, removed functions.

by upstashWidely used↓ 1.2M/wk★ 64.7KUpdated yesterday

Computer or cloud

Install

Codebase Memory

Codebase knowledge graph for AI agents — 162 languages, sub-ms queries, 99% fewer tokens.

by DeusDataWidely used↓ 16.8K/wk★ 48.6KUpdated 27 days ago

Runs on your computer

Install

Ruflo

Agent teams, swarms, memory and hooks for Claude Code and Codex, served over MCP.

by ruvnetWidely used↓ 74.3K/wk★ 81.6K Stars for the whole repoUpdated today

Runs on your computer

Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

Smart Connections MCP Server

Give Claude true semantic memory of your Obsidian vault. An MCP server that searches your notes by *meaning* — reusing the embeddings the Smart Connections Obsidian plugin already generated, and running the same embedding model locally to understand your queries. No cloud calls; your vault never leaves your machine.

What it does

`search_notes` — semantic search across one or many vaults. Matches whole notes *and* individual sections (blocks), returns similarity-ranked results with content snippets.
`get_similar_notes` — notes similar to a given note (stored embeddings).
`get_connection_graph` — walk similarity links outward to map related ideas.
`get_note_content` — read a note, or extract specific blocks.
`list_vaults` / `get_stats` — what's loaded, counts, models, load errors.

Requirements

Node.js 20+
An Obsidian vault with the Smart Connections plugin installed and embeddings generated (v2 tested against Smart Connections 3.x data)
An MCP client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, …)

Setup (Claude Desktop)

Add to claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop:

"mcpServers": { "smart-connections": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "smart-connections-mcp"], "env": { "SMART_VAULT_PATH": "/path/to/Vault One,/path/to/Vault Two" } } } }

One vault or several — separate paths with commas.

SMART_VAULT_PATHS (plural) is also accepted as an alias for SMART_VAULT_PATH and takes precedence over it if both are set.

Claude Code

claude mcp add smart-connections -e SMART_VAULT_PATH="/path/to/vault" -- npx -y smart-connections-mcp

How it works

Smart Connections stores an embedding vector for every note and block in .smart-env/. This server loads those vectors into memory and, when you search, embeds your query with the *same model* your vault used (downloaded once, ~25MB, runs locally via transformers.js). Results are ranked by cosine similarity. Edits you make in Obsidian are picked up automatically.

If the embedding model can't load (e.g. no network on very first run), or a vault has no embeddings yet, search degrades to literal keyword matching and says so explicitly ("mode": "keyword-fallback" plus a warning naming the cause). When only some vaults fall back, mode stays "semantic", those rows carry "match": "keyword", and they always rank after the true semantic rows.

Migrating from v1

get_embedding_neighbors was removed.
search_notes is now genuinely semantic and its response includes vault, scope, block, snippet, and mode fields.
Everything else is backward compatible; single-vault SMART_VAULT_PATH configs work unchanged.

Development

npm install

npm test # build + CI-tier tests (no network) npm run test:live # + real-model tests (downloads ~25MB once) npm run smoke -- "/path/to/vault" "your query"

MIT — see LICENSE.

Smart Connections MCP

What it does

Install

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key

Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file

Paste these settings and save the file

Quit Claude and open it again

Try it

What you can do instead

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key

Click this button to open Cursor

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Smart Connections MCP key

Click this button to open VS Code

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Installed on your computer

Values you fill in

At a glance

Which apps can use it

Related guides

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Discussion

User reviews

Compared with others in Search & AI memoryi

Common questions

Others in the same category

Context7

Codebase Memory

Ruflo

README from the maker

Smart Connections MCP Server

What it does

Requirements

Setup (Claude Desktop)

Claude Code

How it works

Migrating from v1

Development