MCP

MCP

Artemis speaks the Model Context Protocol in both directions. Connectors let the assistant use tools from MCP servers (GitHub, databases, Google Drive, Notion and so on). The Artemis MCP server lets Claude Code or another MCP app drive Artemis itself.

How to use

Add a connector

1. Click Connectors in the sidebar (under the "more" items if it is hidden).
2. Press Add connector, or use Quick add (Filesystem, Memory, Fetch), or Import JSON to paste a Claude Desktop config ({"mcpServers": {"name": {"command": "npx", "args": [...]}}}).
3. Fill in the form:
   • Name.
   • Type: Local (command) runs a program on your computer; Remote (URL) connects to a server over HTTP.
   • For a local server: Command, Arguments and Environment variables (one per line, KEY=value).
   • For a remote server: Server URL, Authentication (Bearer token, API key (X-API-Key) or OAuth 2.1) and Additional headers (one per line, Header: value).
4. Press Add connector. Artemis connects and lists the server's tools. Expand a connector to see them.

Sign in with OAuth (for example Google Drive)

1. Choose Remote (URL) and OAuth 2.1.
2. Enter the Authorization URL, Token URL, Client ID, Client secret (optional) and Scope. For a Google Drive MCP URL (drivemcp.googleapis.com) the Google endpoints and a read-only Drive scope are filled in for you; Google requires the client secret.
3. Press Sign in with OAuth and finish in the browser. The form then shows OAuth connected. Tokens are refreshed automatically.

Use a connector in a chat

Just ask for something the connector can do ("list my open GitHub issues"). You can also mention a connector in the message box to point the assistant at it. By default connector tools are sent to the model only after the assistant asks for that app, which keeps requests small.

Let other apps control Artemis (MCP server)

1. Open Settings → Access and turn on Artemis MCP server. It listens on 127.0.0.1 only, default port 8788 (change it in Port).

2. Copy the Token. Apps send it as a bearer token.

3. To add it to Claude Code, run the command shown under Add it to Claude Code once in a terminal. It looks like:

   claude mcp add --transport http --scope user artemis http://127.0.0.1:8788/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer <token>"
   

   Other MCP apps can use the JSON config shown in the same card (type: http, the URL and the Authorization header).

4. In the client, ask for things like "switch Artemis to the dark theme", "add a note", or "run ls in the Artemis terminal".

Tools exposed by the Artemis MCP server

All tools are named artemis_*:

Tools	What they do	Asks you?
artemis_status, artemis_get_settings	Current model, theme, features, providers, connectors	No
artemis_set_setting, artemis_set_theme	Change safe settings (theme, text size, default model, voice options…)	No
artemis_list_providers, artemis_set_provider_enabled, artemis_list_models, artemis_list_themes	Providers, models and themes	No
artemis_memory_list, artemis_memory_add, artemis_memory_remove	Memory	No
artemis_skills_list	Skills	No
artemis_notes_list, artemis_notes_search, artemis_notes_read	Read notes	No
artemis_notes_write, artemis_notes_create	Change or create a note	Yes
artemis_terminal_run, artemis_terminal_read	Type a command into the Artemis terminal, read its last lines	Running asks
artemis_projects, artemis_fs_* (list, read, search, write, edit, delete files)	File tools inside a project folder	Changes, deletes and outside reads ask
artemis_computer	See and control the Mac screen	Yes
artemis_view_image	Show an attached image or an image in a project	No
artemis_lock	Lock Artemis (it cannot unlock)	No

When an outside app needs approval, Artemis shows a dialog even if it is in the background, with Allow once, Allow for 10 minutes, Always allow and Deny. The prompts name what is asked, for example "Let an outside app change your files?", "Let an outside app read files on your computer?", "Let an outside app run a command on your computer?" or "Delete this from your project?". A delete asks every time.

Settings

Setting	Where	What it does
Connectors (MCP servers)	Tools & safety	Turns all connector tools on or off.
Switch connectors on only when needed	Tools & safety → Saving tokens	Connector tools are sent only after the assistant asks for that app.
Artemis MCP server	Access	Starts or stops the local MCP server.
Port	Access	The port on 127.0.0.1 (saved when you leave the field).
Token	Access	The bearer token clients must send.
Don't ask before running commands from outside	Access	Off: Artemis asks each time an outside app wants to run a command or edit a note.

Tips

• Turn connectors you do not need off: every connector adds tools to the model's prompt.
• Each connector asks for approval once per task, unless its tool is read-only.
• If Claude Code still asks for permission in headless mode, allow mcp__artemis in the Claude Code settings.

Limits and safety

• Connector secrets (environment values, headers, client secret, OAuth tokens) are encrypted at rest.
• The Artemis MCP server binds to 127.0.0.1, requires the token, and rejects any request with an Origin header, so web pages cannot call it.
• Permissions that give Artemis more power (terminal, computer control, auto-approve, phone, API keys, endpoints) cannot be changed through the MCP server; you change them in Settings.
• While Artemis is locked, the MCP server answers "locked".
• Writes through artemis_fs_* cannot leave the project folder. Reads outside it need your approval.

See also

• Tools and Approvals
• Files and Attachments
• Terminal
• Notes
• Security and App Lock