macOS Notification MCP Server: Enabling AI Applications to Trigger macOS Notifications, Sounds, and Text-to-Speech

Overview: What is macOS Notification MCP Server?

The macOS Notification MCP Server is a specialized service that integrates AI applications with native macOS notifications, sounds, and text-to-speech functionalities. By leveraging Model Context Protocol (MCP), it enables seamless communication between intelligent agents and the operating system to deliver enriched user experiences. This server supports core features such as sound notifications, banner notifications, speech notifications, voice management, and testing tools for verifying functionality.

Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The macOS Notification MCP Server provides a robust set of functionalities that cater to various use cases within AI applications. Key among these are:

1. Sound Notifications: The server supports playing pre-defined system sounds like Submarine, Ping, or Tink, enabling auditory alerts and feedback.
2. Banner Notifications: It can display visual notifications with customizable titles, messages, and subtitles, providing a rich notification experience.
3. Speech Notifications: Convert text to speech using adjustable voice parameters, rate, and volume settings to enhance the verbal communication aspect of AI applications.
4. Voice Management: This tool facilitates listing and selecting from available system voices, ensuring a smooth integration with user preferences.
5. Testing Tools: Diagnostic utilities that allow testing all notification methods to ensure reliability and robustness.

These features are implemented through native macOS commands such as afplay, osascript, and say, which are used to execute the required actions efficiently. The server is built on the FastMCP framework, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for AI application developers.

MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of the macOS Notification MCP Server is designed to be flexible and scalable, making it suitable for various AI applications. It operates by processing notifications one at a time with a minimum interval of 0.5 seconds, which prevents overwhelming the system with too many requests simultaneously. Multi-notification messages are handled sequentially, ensuring that each notification gets sufficient attention.

The core protocol flow can be visualized using the following Mermaid diagram:

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

This diagram illustrates the seamless interaction between an AI application, the MCP client embedded in it, and the server that translates these requests into specific macOS commands. The protocol ensures that each step is executed efficiently, maintaining consistency across different applications.

Getting Started with Installation

To start using the macOS Notification MCP Server, developers can choose from several installation methods:

Quick Start with uvx (Recommended)

For a fast setup, uvx allows running packages without permanent installation:

# Install uv if you don't have it
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

# Run the MCP server directly (no installation needed)
uvx macos-notification-mcp

Standard Installation Method

Alternatively, use pip for a traditional Python package installation:

pip install macos-notification-mcp

Source Code Installation

For developers who prefer to work with source code, clone the repository and install it locally:

git clone https://github.com/devizor/macos-notification-mcp
cd macos-notification-mcp
pip install .

Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

The macOS Notification MCP Server can be integrated into various AI workflows to enhance usability and user experience. Two practical use cases include:

1. Task Management: In a project management tool, the server could send notifications when tasks are completed or deadlines approach. This ensures users are always informed about their responsibilities.
2. Customer Support Chatbots: A customer support chatbot can notify users with speech notifications during critical transitions in conversations, such as confirming actions or providing important instructions.

These scenarios demonstrate how the server can be seamlessly integrated into AI applications to provide timely and relevant notifications.

Integration with MCP Clients

Compatibility Matrix

The macOS Notification MCP Server is compatible with several MCP clients:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

This table highlights the compatibility status of each client with respect to resources, tools, and prompts. Users can expect full support from Claude Desktop and Continue while Cursor users may need additional configuration for enhanced features.

Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The server boasts exceptional performance metrics and broad compatibility:

• MCP Protocol: Built on FastMCP framework
• Notification Speed: Processed one at a time with 0.5-second intervals
• Native Integration: Uses native macOS commands for high efficiency

These factors contribute to the server's reliability and flexibility across different AI applications.

Advanced Configuration & Security

Example MCP Configuration

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

This sample configuration demonstrates how to set up the server within a Minecraft client, ensuring seamless communication and functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I integrate the macOS Notification MCP Server with my AI application?

   • Implement the MCP Client in your application and configure it according to the compatibility matrix.

2. Can I customize the notification sounds and voices used by the server?

   • Yes, you can list available voices using list_available_voices() and choose from predefined sound names.

3. How do I test all notification methods together?

   • Use the test_notification_system() function to verify that all notification methods are working correctly.

4. What permissions are required for notifications to work properly?

   • Ensure you have enabled notifications in System Settings → Notifications.

5. Is there a rate limit for sending multiple notifications at once?

   • Yes, the server processes one notification at a time with a minimum interval of 0.5 seconds to avoid system overload.

Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome from the community! To contribute, fork the repository and submit pull requests. Detailed guidelines can be found in the CONTRIBUTING.md file within the source code directory.

MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For further reading on Model Context Protocol (MCP) and related resources, visit:

• Model Context Protocol Documentation
• FastMCP Framework GitHub Repository

The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of community involvement in developing a robust and interoperable MCP ecosystem.

---

This comprehensive documentation covers all aspects of the macOS Notification MCP Server, providing developers with the necessary information to integrate it effectively into their AI applications.