How to add Mindmap MCP Server to Claude Desktop
Convert Markdown content into interactive markmap-based mindmaps (HTML or saved file). Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.
Last updated June 14, 2026 · 234★ · stdio · no auth
Claude Desktop config for Mindmap MCP Server
uvx mindmap-mcp-server{
"mcpServers": {
"mindmap-mcp-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"mindmap-mcp-server",
"--return-type",
"filePath"
]
}
}
}Requires `uv` (the Python package runner). Install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/ if `uvx` is not found.
Setup steps
- 1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
- 2Paste the Mindmap MCP Server config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
- 3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
- 4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
- 5Open a chat and confirm Mindmap MCP Server's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.
Before you start
- Node.js installed (required when running via the python or uvx commands)
- Python with uvx/pip, or Docker if using the container method
What Mindmap MCP Server can do in Claude Desktop
markdown-to-mindmap-contentConverts Markdown to an HTML mind map and returns the entire HTML content. Parameters: markdown (string, required) — the Markdown content to convert; toolbar (boolean, optional, default true) — whether to show the toolbar. Best for simple mind maps where HTML content size isn't a concern; previewable as an artifact in the AI client. (Documented for the Docker container.)
markdown-to-mindmap-fileConverts Markdown to an HTML mind map and saves it to a file in the mounted directory, returning the file path. Parameters: markdown (string, required) — the Markdown content to convert; filename (string, optional, default auto-generated timestamp name); toolbar (boolean, optional, default true). Best for complex mind maps or to save tokens for later use. (Documented for the Docker container.)
Security
When using the Docker method, you must mount a host directory to /output (e.g. -v /path/to/output/folder:/output) so generated mindmap files are written to a location you control. Docker needs permission to access that directory.
Mindmap MCP Server + Claude Desktop FAQ
Where is the Claude Desktop config file?
Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Mindmap MCP Server config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.
Is Mindmap MCP Server safe to use with Claude Desktop?
When using the Docker method, you must mount a host directory to /output (e.g. -v /path/to/output/folder:/output) so generated mindmap files are written to a location you control. Docker needs permission to access that directory.
What return types are supported?
Two: html returns the entire HTML content of the mindmap (preview in your AI client's artifact), and filePath saves the mindmap to a file and returns the path, which saves tokens. With pip/uvx/python you select this via the --return-type flag; the Docker container exposes them as separate tools.
Does it require Node.js?
Yes. When running via the python or uvx commands, Node.js must be installed because the server uses the markmap-cli library.
What should Windows users do if npx has issues?
The README recommends the Docker method for Windows users experiencing issues, or alternatively using the VS Code 'Markmap' extension as a simpler solution.