Bear MCP Server: Seamless Integration Between AI Applications and Bear Note-Taking Software

Overview: What is Bear MCP Server?

The Bear MCP Server is a specialized adapter designed to facilitate seamless integration between various AI applications, such as Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and others, with the Bear note-taking software. This server acts as an intermediary, allowing these AI tools to interact with Bear's functionalities through a standardized Model Context Protocol (MCP). By leveraging this protocol, developers can ensure that their AI solutions are easily extendable and compatible with a wide range of data sources and applications.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The Bear MCP Server offers a comprehensive set of features aligned with the Model Context Protocol. These include actions such as opening notes, creating new ones, adding text or files, managing tags, searching through content, and more. Each action corresponds to specific X-callback-url commands detailed in Bear’s official documentation.

Actions Implemented

graph TD
    classDef standard fill:#8C62B5;
    classDef compatible fill:#CA849D;
    classDef core(fill:#E28A71, stroke:#fff, stroke-width:2px);
    classDef protocol(compatStroke:#03A89F, mainColor:#FFEB3B, compatFont:#c46aa7);

    A[Open Note] --> B{熊}
    B --> C(Checked)
    D[Create New Note] --> E{创建新笔记}
    E --> F(Checked)
    G[Add Text/Files] --> H{添加文本/文件}
    H --> I(Checked)
    J[Tags Management] --> K{标签管理}
    K --> L(Checked)
    M[Search & Filtering] --> N{搜索与过滤}
    N --> O(Checked)
    P[Trash & Archive] --> Q{回收站与归档}
    Q --> R(Checked)
    S[TBD]
    class A core
    class B protocol
    class C standard
    class D core
    class E protocol
    class F standard
    class G core
    class H protocol
    class I standard
    class J core
    class K protocol
    class L standard
    class M core
    class N protocol
    class O standard
    class P core
    class Q protocol
    class R standard
    class S compatible

These actions enable AI applications to perform common tasks within Bear, enhancing their functionality and usability.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of the Bear MCP Server is built around the Model Context Protocol (MCP), ensuring compatibility with a variety of other MCP-compliant clients. The server acts as an endpoint for these clients to perform operations on Bear's note data. By adhering to the MCP, the server ensures that interactions are consistent and predictable across different AI tools.

The implementation involves several key components:

API Token: To authenticate requests from MCP clients.
X-callback-url Scheme: Used for invoking specific actions within Bear.
Environment Variables: Configurable settings to customize behavior. For instance, BEAR_API_TOKEN is required for authentication.

Example Configuration

extensions:
  bear:
    name: Bear
    cmd: uvx
    args: [--from, git+https://github.com/jkawamoto/mcp-bear, mcp-bear]
    envs: { "BEAR_API_TOKEN": "<YOUR_TOKEN>" }
    enabled: true
    type: stdio

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

For Goose CLI

To enable the Bear extension in Goose CLI, follow these steps:

Edit your configuration file ~/.config/goose/config.yaml and add the following entry.
Replace <YOUR_TOKEN> with your actual API token for auth.

For Goose Desktop

Adding a new extension is straightforward:

Type: Standard IO
ID: bear
Name: Bear
Description: Interacting with Bear note-taking software
Command: uvx --from git+https://github.com/jkawamoto/mcp-bear mcp-bear
Environment Variables: Add BEAR_API_TOKEN with your API token

For Claude Desktop

To configure this server in Claude Desktop, edit the claude_desktop_config.json file and include the following entry:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bear": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "--from",
        "git+https://github.com/jkawamoto/mcp-bear",
        "mcp-bear",
        "--token",
        "<YOUR_TOKEN>"
      ]
    }
  }
}

After editing, restart the application.

Installing via Smithery

To install Bear MCP Server for Claude Desktop using Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install @jkawamoto/mcp-bear --client claude

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

The Bear MCP Server can be used in various AI workflows, enabling seamless integration between AI models and note-taking applications. Below are two examples:

Scenario 1: Note Synthesis with AI

Imagine a scenario where an AI application automatically synthesizes notes based on research or project outcomes. Using the Bear MCP Server, the AI tool can invoke actions such as open-note and add-text, allowing it to insert synthesized text directly into Bear's note-taking framework. This ensures that all generated content is organized effectively.

Scenario 2: Automated Data Collection

Another use case involves automating the collection of data from diverse sources and saving them in Bear notes. For instance, an AI model could be configured to monitor specific news feeds or project updates, then automatically generate and store relevant notes using Bear MCP Server's capabilities such as search and add-file.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The Bear MCP Server is compatible with several MCP clients:

Claude Desktop: Full support.
Continue & Cursor: Tools only; no prompt integration.

Mermaid Diagram: MCP Protocol Flow

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;

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

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

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Advanced users can customize the server by configuring environment variables and command-line arguments. The BEAR_API_TOKEN ensures secure API authentication, while additional settings allow fine-tuning of behavior to meet specific needs.

Mermaid Diagram: Data Architecture

graph LR
    subgraph MCP_Servers
        A[Server Endpoint]
        B[MCP Client Requests]
    end
    subgraph Bear_Application
        C[API Token Auth]
        D[X-callback-url Scheme Invocation]
        E[Data Storage & Management]
    end
    F[Data Sources]
    A -->|HTTP/TLS| B
    B --> C
    C -->|Auth| D
    D --> E
    E -->|DB| F
    style MCP_Servers fill:#f3e5f5;
    style Bear_Application fill:#e8f5e8;
    style F fill:#caefca;

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use the Bear MCP Server with an AI application?

A: It ensures compatibility and seamless integration, enabling advanced features in AI workflows.

Q2: Can I integrate other AI tools besides Claude Desktop?

A: Yes, though full support is only available for some clients. Refer to the compatibility matrix for details.

Q3: How do I secure my API token?

A: Use environment variables to store sensitive information securely and avoid hardcoding in configuration files.

Q4: Can this server be used with other note-taking tools besides Bear?

A: Currently, it is specifically designed for Bear but can inspire similar implementations for other tools.

Q5: Where can I find more technical details on MCP protocol implementation?

A: Detailed documentation is available on the official Model Context Protocol website and GitHub repositories.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributors are welcome to enhance this MCP server. Please follow these guidelines:

Fork the repository.
Create a new branch for your feature or bug fix.
Write unit tests if applicable.
Submit a pull request with detailed descriptions.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For more resources and information on Model Context Protocol, visit:

Model Context Protocol Website
GitHub Repository: https://github.com/jkawamoto/mcp-bear

This comprehensive documentation positions the Bear MCP Server as a powerful tool for integrating AI applications with note-taking software. By leveraging its capabilities and understanding of the Model Context Protocol, developers can create advanced workflows that enhance productivity and efficiency.

Bear MCP Server