Paperless MCP

Name: Paperless MCP
Author: pvliesdonk

by pvliesdonkversion 3.0.0i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.pvliesdonk/paperless-mcp

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Paperless-NGX over MCP: search, read, upload and tag documents; manage correspondents and types.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiVery new↓ 170/wk · ★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio, Streamable HTTP
Category: Docs, sheets & office work
You need to fill in: PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN

Install

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

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: PAPERLESS_MCP_KV_STORE_URL, PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW, PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY, PAPERLESS_MCP_SERVER_NAME, PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION, PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA, PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS, PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_LEVEL, PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_FORMAT, PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL, PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN, PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS, PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES, PAPERLESS_MCP_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE, PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL, PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_DEFAULT_S, PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_MAX_S, PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_GRACE_TTL_S, PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_LEASE_S, PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES

Values marked secret are keys to your account. Never share them or paste them into a chat.

You need

PyPIPython’s uv installed (for the uvx command)

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paperless": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_KV_STORE_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_SERVER_NAME": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_FORMAT": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_DEFAULT_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_MAX_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_GRACE_TTL_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_LEASE_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add paperless --env PAPERLESS_MCP_KV_STORE_URL=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_SERVER_NAME=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_LEVEL=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_FORMAT=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_DEFAULT_S=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_MAX_S=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_GRACE_TTL_S=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_LEASE_S=your-value --env PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES=your-value -- uvx pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paperless": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_KV_STORE_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_SERVER_NAME": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_FORMAT": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_DEFAULT_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_MAX_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_GRACE_TTL_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_LEASE_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "paperless": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_KV_STORE_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_SERVER_NAME": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_FORMAT": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_DEFAULT_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_MAX_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_GRACE_TTL_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_LEASE_S": "your-value",
        "PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

PAPERLESS_MCP_KV_STORE_URL env
Persistent-state backend URL shared by every pvl-core subsystem that needs state. `memory://` is in-process and lost on restart; `file:///path` persists on one server; `redis://`, `dynamodb://` and `…
PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW env
Comma-separated explicit tool names this instance exposes; every other tool is hidden from listings and cannot be invoked. Names matching no registered tool are inert. Mutually exclusive with `tools_…
PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY env
Comma-separated explicit tool names hidden from this instance (absent from listings, cannot be invoked). Names matching no registered tool are inert. Mutually exclusive with `tools_allow`. Takes effe…
PAPERLESS_MCP_SERVER_NAME env
Rename this server instance; defaults to the project name.
PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION env
Concise routing context that distinguishes this deployment's material or responsibility.
PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA env
Deployment-specific behavioral policy added to the generated MCP instructions.
PAPERLESS_MCP_INSTRUCTIONS env
Legacy: replaces all generated MCP instructions (deprecated; use _INSTANCE_DESCRIPTION for routing and _INSTRUCTIONS_EXTRA for policy).
PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_LEVEL env
Log level for every logger in the process, FastMCP's included (DEBUG / INFO / WARNING / ERROR / CRITICAL). The -v CLI flag overrides to DEBUG. The unprefixed FASTMCP_LOG_LEVEL still works for one maj…
PAPERLESS_MCP_LOG_FORMAT env
Log rendering. rich is one colour event key=value line per record, for a terminal; json is one JSON object per record, for a collector. Unset picks rich when stderr is a terminal and json everywhere…
PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL env
Base URL of the Paperless-NGX REST API, without a trailing slash. The server refuses to start without it.
PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN secret env
Paperless service-account token used for outbound API requests. The server refuses to start without it.
PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_TIMEOUT_SECONDS env
Per-request HTTP timeout in seconds.
PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES env
Retries for idempotent requests after network errors or 5xx responses.
PAPERLESS_MCP_DEFAULT_PAGE_SIZE env
Default page size for list tools, from 1 through 100.
PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL env
Public Paperless UI URL for user-visible links; defaults to PAPERLESS_URL.
PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_DEFAULT_S env
Link lifetime in seconds when the caller requests no explicit TTL.
PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_TTL_MAX_S env
Ceiling in seconds a caller-requested link TTL is clamped to.
PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_GRACE_TTL_S env
Post-success grace window in seconds: a served token's TTL shrinks to this so a stalled transfer can retry within it.
PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_LEASE_S env
Crashed-handler reclaim window in seconds for an in-flight reservation.
PAPERLESS_MCP_TRANSFER_MAX_UPLOAD_BYTES env
Maximum size in bytes of a single upload.

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

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 10, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account pvliesdonk, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– 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

Compared with others in Docs, sheets & office worki

More stars than 0% of the other 3662 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 38% of the other 3662 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 3662 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 Paperless MCP safe?

It passed 1 of 1 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: PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN

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 –, and the latest version (3.0.0) reached the registry 2 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Python (uv), Docker on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Agent-Native Calendar, Excel MCP Server, MCP Server for Excel

Alternatives

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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.

Paperless MCP

Paperless-NGX over MCP: search, read, upload and tag documents; manage correspondents and types.

[Documentation](https://pvliesdonk.github.io/paperless-mcp/) | [Config wizard](https://pvliesdonk.github.io/paperless-mcp/latest/reference/configuration-generator/) | [PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp/) | [Docker](https://github.com/pvliesdonk/paperless-mcp/pkgs/container/paperless-mcp)

This server gives an MCP client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, claude.ai or any other) the API of an existing Paperless-NGX instance: one tool per Paperless operation, with the instance's own permissions. It adds no document store and no workflow of its own; what a task does with the tools is up to the model.

Documents: full-text and filtered search, metadata, notes, history, thumbnails, and the OCR text in bounded sections.
Organising: create, change, delete and bulk-edit tags, correspondents, document types and custom fields, and bulk operations on documents.
Files: upload documents for Paperless to consume and wait on the task; over HTTP, one-time transfer links move whole files outside the model's context.
The instance: statistics, saved views, storage paths, share links, background tasks and the installed and newest Paperless versions.

With the server connected, a client can handle requests such as:

"Find last quarter's invoices from ACME." The model searches with a correspondent filter, then reads each match's text.
"Tag these three documents as 'reviewed' and move them to the Accounting correspondent." One bulk edit.
"Upload this PDF and wait until OCR finishes." An upload, then a wait on its consume task, so the answer comes once the document is indexed.
"What changed on document 4213 in the last week?" The document's audit log.

Does it fit?

What the server can reach, what it changes and who gets in is set out in the security model; the block below says who it serves and where it stops.

For: people who already keep their documents in Paperless-NGX and want an MCP client to search, read, file and organise them.
Reaches: one Paperless-NGX instance over its REST API, with one API token; the security model lists what that token lets the tools read and change.
Limits: the tools can do only what the token's Paperless user may do. They don't administer Paperless (users, mail rules, workflows), and the text they read is Paperless's own OCR.

Quick start

Pick the client you use. Each line installs the released version; the Get started tutorials carry on from there.

Claude Desktop. Download the .mcpb bundle from the releases page and open it with Claude Desktop (or Settings › Extensions › Advanced settings › Install Extension…). Claude Desktop asks for the required settings itself. Tutorial.

Claude Code. Two commands inside Claude Code; the second asks for a scope. Tutorial.

/plugin marketplace add pvliesdonk/claude-plugins

/plugin install paperless-mcp@pvliesdonk

A client that runs a command (stdio). To register it in Claude Code, see the Claude Code tutorial.

uv tool install "pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp"

paperless-mcp serve

A server for remote clients (streamable HTTP). A remote server connects the clients.

docker run --rm -p 8000:8000 --env-file .env ghcr.io/pvliesdonk/paperless-mcp:latest

A compose.yml ships at the repository root and runs as-is: copy .env.example to .env, then docker compose up -d. Deploy covers authentication, OIDC, a reverse proxy and system packages (.deb/.rpm on the releases page). The server answers /health and /health/ready outside the MCP mount, and its get_server_info tool reports the running version.

uv tool install "pvliesdonk-paperless-mcp[debug]" adds debugpy, for attaching a debugger to a running server.

Configuration

Everything is configured through environment variables with the PAPERLESS_MCP_ prefix. The ones most installs set:

Variable	Default	Required	Description
`PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_URL`	(none)	Yes	Base URL of the Paperless-NGX REST API, without a trailing slash.
`PAPERLESS_MCP_API_TOKEN`	(none)	Yes	Paperless service-account token used for outbound API requests.
`PAPERLESS_MCP_PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL`	(none)	No	Public Paperless UI URL for user-visible links; defaults to PAPERLESS_URL.

Every variable the server reads, the shared ones included, is in the configuration reference; .env.example lists the same surface in copy-paste form, and the config wizard writes one for your deployment.

Documentation

Security model: what the server can reach, what it changes and who gets in.
Get started: a first success with your client.
Deploy: Docker, authentication, OIDC, reverse proxy.
Use: the features, for real tasks.
Reference: configuration, tools, resources, prompts, command line.
Upgrade: release channels, and what an upgrade changes for your clients and your data.
Contribute: local development, secrets, where a fix belongs; CONTRIBUTING.md and SECURITY.md at the root.

Design decisions

Read-only deployments use tool visibility, not a domain switch. Set PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_DENY (or PAPERLESS_MCP_TOOLS_ALLOW) to hide the mutating tools, including create_upload_link when transfers are enabled. The template applies visibility last in make_server, so hidden tools leave tools/list and are rejected on tools/call. Clients cannot invoke a write that will be refused, and the rule lives in one place for every server built on this template.
HTTP layer retries idempotent reads only. PAPERLESS_MCP_HTTP_RETRIES applies to GETs on 5xx/network errors; writes never retry automatically, to avoid double-applying bulk edits or uploads.
Tool icons come from `Lucide`. Every tool carries a Lucide icon hint so MCP clients that render icons (Claude Desktop) get a coherent visual surface. See src/paperless_mcp/tools/_icons.py.
Paperless API compatibility: requests prefer payload version 10, with automatic version 9 fallback for Paperless 2.x after an explicit version rejection. Tasks include structured results and timing data while retaining the legacy fields. Saved-view visibility flags can now be null; Python consumers must handle that value. See task tools.
Models accept unknown upstream fields. Pydantic models use lenient validation for list-endpoint responses so newer Paperless-NGX versions do not break the client (the Document.some_future_paperless_field test pins this behaviour).
No prompts ship in v1. prompts.py is intentionally empty; prompts land as concrete user-workflow patterns emerge in practice.

Paperless MCP

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

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

Compared with others in Docs, sheets & office worki

Common questions

Alternatives

Agent-Native Calendar

Excel MCP Server

MCP Server for Excel

README from the maker

Paperless MCP

Does it fit?

Quick start

Configuration

Documentation

Design decisions

Links