mcp-readwise-bridge

MCP Readwise Bridge

A FastAPI MCP server that exposes your Readwise Reader library to MCP-compatible clients (Claude, VS Code, Cursor, Raycast, and more).

Features

• List, retrieve, and update your Readwise Reader documents via a simple HTTP API
• Supports pagination, filtering, and HTML content retrieval
• Handles Readwise rate limits and authentication
• In-memory caching for efficiency
• Compatible with any client that supports the MCP protocol

Quickstart

1. Clone and Install

git clone https://github.com/leonardsellem/mcp-readwise-bridge.git
cd mcp-readwise-bridge
python -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

2. Configure

Copy .env.example to .env and set your Readwise token:

cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env and set READWISE_TOKEN=rw_live_xxx (get your token from https://readwise.io/access_token)

3. Run the Server

uvicorn mcp_reader_bridge.app:api --reload --port 5678

• The server will be available at: http://localhost:5678
• Swagger UI for testing: http://localhost:5678/docs

🚀 One-Click Install for IDEs (VS Code, Cursor, Raycast, Claude, etc.)

Paste the following block into your IDE’s MCP extension or “Add Server” dialog for instant setup:

{
  "mcp": {
    "inputs": [
      {
        "type": "promptString",
        "id": "readwise_token",
        "description": "Readwise Access Token (get from https://readwise.io/access_token)",
        "password": true
      }
    ],
    "servers": {
      "readwise": {
        "command": "docker",
        "args": [
          "run",
          "-i",
          "--rm",
          "-e",
          "READWISE_TOKEN",
          "-p",
          "5678:5678",
          "ghcr.io/leonardsellem/mcp-readwise-bridge:latest"
        ],
        "env": {
          "READWISE_TOKEN": "${input:readwise_token}"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

• This will prompt you for your Readwise token and launch the server in Docker.
• The server will be available at http://localhost:5678 for your IDE or AI client.

Connecting to Clients

VS Code (with Claude, Cursor, or other MCP plugins)

1. Install the MCP extension (e.g., Cursor MCP, Claude VS Code, or your preferred MCP-compatible extension).
2. Add a new MCP server in the extension settings:
   • Server URL: http://localhost:5678
   • (Optional) Name: Readwise MCP
3. Authenticate if prompted (the server uses your .env token, no extra login needed).
4. Use the extension’s UI to browse, search, and update your Readwise documents directly from VS Code.

Claude (Anthropic)

• In Claude’s “Connect Knowledge” or “Add Source” dialog, select “Custom MCP server” and enter http://localhost:5678.
• Claude will now be able to list, retrieve, and update your Readwise documents.

Cursor

• Open Cursor’s command palette and search for “Connect MCP Server”.
• Enter http://localhost:5678 as the endpoint.
• You can now use Cursor’s AI features with your Readwise library.

Raycast

• Install the Raycast MCP extension.
• Add a new MCP server with the URL http://localhost:5678.
• Raycast will now let you search and interact with your Readwise documents.

Troubleshooting

• 401 Unauthorized: Make sure your READWISE_TOKEN is correct and not expired.
• 429 Rate Limited: The Readwise API has request limits. Wait a minute and try again.
• Cannot connect: Ensure the server is running and accessible at the port you specified.
• Firewall/Network: If connecting from another device, ensure your firewall allows incoming connections on the server port.

Endpoints

FAQ

Q: Is my Readwise data safe?
A: Yes. Your token is stored locally in .env and never shared with clients. The server only proxies requests.

Q: Can I run this on a remote server?
A: Yes, but you may need to set up HTTPS and firewall rules for security.

Q: Can I use this with other MCP clients?
A: Yes! Any client that supports the MCP protocol can connect.

License

MIT

Links

• Readwise Reader API Docs
• Multi-Client Protocol (MCP)
• Claude VS Code
• Cursor
• Raycast