# Joplin

Open-source notes app with an in-app MCP server, a local Data API, and paid Joplin Cloud sync.

Joplin is a desktop and mobile notes app with markdown, notebooks, tags, attachments, end-to-end encrypted sync, and a plugin system. The desktop app now embeds an MCP server (packages/lib/services/mcp) with note, notebook, tag, search, and semantic-search tools, alongside the long-standing Data API and terminal CLI. Apps are AGPL; Joplin Cloud and Joplin Server Business are paid.

Alternative to: Evernote, OneNote

- Capabilities: operable
- Vertical: notes-knowledge
- Shape: product
- Form factor: desktop
- Execution model: hybrid
- Provenance: mixed (recorded, never ranked)
- Repo: https://github.com/laurent22/joplin (AGPL-3.0-or-later), 56212 stars, last commit 2026-09-03
- Last activity: 2026-09-03
- Page: apps/laurent22--joplin.html
- JSON: apps/laurent22--joplin.json

## Use it when

- you already keep years of notes in Joplin and want Claude to search and write them without leaving the app
- you want encrypted cross-device notes and are happy to pay a few euros a month for sync

## Gotchas

- The MCP server runs inside the desktop app; the app must be open and the service enabled
- packages/server (Joplin Server) is under a Personal Use License, not AGPL; business self-hosting requires the paid Joplin Server Business
- Notebook delete and resource upload are not in the MCP tool set; fall back to the Data API on port 41184

## Editions

- Free apps: Free, open source
  - source: https://github.com/laurent22/joplin
  - binary: https://joplinapp.org/download/
- Joplin Cloud Basic: €3 per month, closed source
  - hosted: https://joplinapp.org/plans/
- Joplin Cloud Pro: €6 per month, closed source
  - hosted: https://joplinapp.org/plans/
- Joplin Cloud Teams: €8 per month, closed source
  - hosted: https://joplinapp.org/plans/
- Joplin Server Business: €3 per month, closed source
  - container: https://joplinapp.org/plans/

## Operable: what an agent can drive

Operability: official. Interface: mcp at https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/tree/dev/packages/lib/services/mcp (published by the builder, local).

### Reach (partial coverage)

- Create, read, update, and delete notes: reachable. McpServer.ts tools create_note, read_note, update_note, delete_note
- Search notes, including semantic search: reachable. search_notes, semantic_search_notes
- Create and list notebooks: reachable. create_notebook, list_notebooks; no delete or move notebook tool
- Tag notes: reachable. manage_tags
- Read image attachments: reachable. read_image
- Upload attachments and resources: not reachable. no resource tool in the MCP list; the Data API can POST /resources
- To-dos: undetermined. notes carry is_todo in the Data API; not confirmed on the MCP note tools
- Sync, encryption, sharing, and publishing: not reachable. app and Joplin Cloud features; not in the tool list
- Plugins and web clipper: not reachable. separate subsystems; no MCP tool

## Code stack

- Languages: TypeScript
- Frameworks: Electron, React Native
- Package manager: yarn
- Database: SQLite
- Hosting target: binary

## Model stack

- Providers: embeddings for semantic search (provider configurable in app settings)
- Models: none
- Keys you need (names only): none
- Prompts live in: none
- Tools: create_note, read_note, update_note, delete_note, search_notes, semantic_search_notes, create_notebook, list_notebooks, manage_tags, read_image

## Evidence and confidence

- formFactor: README: desktop and mobile apps; MCP server lives in the desktop app's lib package (confidence 0.9)
- executionModel: semantic_search_notes implies embeddings at runtime; note CRUD needs no model (confidence 0.65)
- operability: packages/lib/services/mcp/McpServer.ts in laurent22/joplin; tool names read from the file (confidence 0.9)
- effort: the desktop app has no named env, config, or prompt surface for an Adopter; Joplin Server is a separate form factor under a non-open license, so Adaptable is not claimed (confidence 0.7)
- editions: joplinapp.org/plans: Basic €2.99, Pro €5.99, Pro 100GB €9.99, Teams €7.99 per user; Server Business €2.50–3.33 per user; apps free (confidence 0.9)
- active: pushedAt 2026-09-03
- provenance: CLAUDE.md at root; project from 2016 (confidence 0.4)
- reach:  (confidence 0.85)

## Open questions

- Is the in-app MCP server in a stable release yet, and how is it enabled?
- Which embedding provider does semantic search use and does it need a key?
- Should Joplin Server be its own Listing (form factor: web-app) despite the personal-use license?

## Sources

- https://github.com/laurent22/joplin (sourcing:notes-knowledge:curated)
- https://joplinapp.org/plans/ (analysis)
- https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/blob/dev/packages/server/LICENSE.md (analysis)