Mousetaile

Mousetaile is an MCP server that connects LLM clients directly to local Anki flashcard collections. Designed for students, researchers, and knowledge workers who use spaced repetition, the server eliminates the need for third-party add-ons like AnkiConnect by interfacing straight with Anki's native Python library (pylib). It enables AI assistants to perform full create, read, update, and delete operations across decks, notes, and cards located on the host machine. The server automatically detects standard Anki database paths across macOS, Linux, and Windows, avoiding manual directory configuration. Users can interactively generate cards from ongoing conversations, inspect existing decks, correct linguistic or factual errors in notes, and trigger synchronization routines with AnkiWeb or self-hosted sync endpoints. System-native credential storage handles authentication securely on macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Manager, and Linux Secret Service, ensuring flashcard workflows remain private and stable without requiring background HTTP services.

Category: Notes & Knowledge Management

Tags: anki, flashcards, spaced-repetition, study

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How to install and configure Mousetaile

1. Ensure you have Python 3.10+ and the uv package manager installed on your machine. 2. Verify that the Anki desktop application is closed to avoid database lock issues. 3. Test the server executable directly using uvx mousetail. 4. Add the server entry to your MCP client configuration (such as Claude Desktop or Claude Code) using stdio transport: json { "mcpServers": { "mousetail": { "command": "uvx", "args": ["mousetail"] } } } 5. Alternatively, for local source installations, run uv run python -m mousetail.mcp.stdio_server. 6. Restart your MCP client to verify available tools like list_collections, create_note, and sync_collection.

What you can do with Mousetaile

• Creating targeted flashcards and new decks directly from details, explanations, or facts discovered during conversations with an LLM. - Auditing existing vocabulary or concept decks to detect, flag, and automatically correct typos, formatting errors, or factual mistakes. - Synchronizing local Anki collections with AnkiWeb or custom self-hosted sync servers while securely retaining credentials in native system storage. - Querying card contents and reviewing notes programmatically via natural language queries within supported Model Context Protocol environments.

Key facts

• Open Source
• https://github.com/listfold/mousetail
• Notes & Knowledge Management
• anki, flashcards, spaced-repetition, study

Part of MCP Servers

What can Mousetaile do?

Mousetaile enables LLMs to inspect, create, modify, and delete flashcards and decks in your local Anki database. It also provides tools to sync your collection with AnkiWeb or custom sync servers, and securely manage authentication credentials using native operating system keychains without relying on the AnkiConnect add-on.

How do I install Mousetaile?

You can run Mousetaile using Astral uv by executing uvx mousetail in your terminal. To register it with MCP clients like Claude Desktop or Claude Code, configure a stdio server entry specifying the uvx command with mousetail as its argument.

Does Mousetaile require the AnkiConnect plugin?

No, Mousetaile does not require AnkiConnect or any third-party plugins. It connects directly to the local Anki database using Anki's official pylib library, avoiding external HTTP ports and background add-on dependencies.

Do I need to keep the Anki desktop app open?

No, you must close the Anki desktop application before using Mousetaile tools or performing sync operations. Running Anki simultaneously can cause file lock conflicts with the underlying SQLite database.

Is Mousetaile open source?

Yes, Mousetaile is open source software released under the MIT License. The code and issue tracker are publicly hosted on GitHub.