Todoist MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that integrates Todoist task management with AI models, enabling natural language task management through AI assistants like Claude, Gemini, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible tools.

Features

• Complete Task Management: Add, list, update, delete, and complete tasks
• Project Organization: Create, manage, and organize projects hierarchically
• Label Management: Create and manage labels with color coding
• Hierarchical Data: Maintains parent-child relationships for tasks and projects
• GTD Integration: Built with Getting Things Done methodology in mind
• Universal AI Compatibility: Works with any MCP-compatible AI assistant

Prerequisites

• Node.js v18.0.0 or higher
• npm (comes with Node.js)
• Todoist account and API token

Installation

From npm (Recommended)

npm install -g todoist-mcp-cli

From Source

git clone https://github.com/rkrohk/todoist-mcp-cli.git
cd todoist-mcp-cli
npm install
npm run build
npm install -g .

Configuration

1. Get Your Todoist API Token

1. Go to Todoist Settings > Integrations
2. Find the "API token" section
3. Copy your API token

2. Set Environment Variable

Create a .env file in your project directory:

TODOIST_API_TOKEN=your_actual_api_token_here

AI Client Integration

Claude Desktop

Add to your Claude Desktop configuration (~/.claude/config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "todoist": {
      "command": "todoist-mcp-cli",
      "env": {
        "TODOIST_API_TOKEN": "your_api_token"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor IDE

1. Open Cursor Settings
2. Navigate to MCP Servers configuration
3. Add new server:
   • Command: todoist-mcp-cli
   • Environment: TODOIST_API_TOKEN=your_token

Other MCP Clients

Use the command todoist-mcp-cli with your Todoist API token in the environment.

Available Tools

Task Management

addTask

Add a new task to Todoist.

Parameters:

• content (string): Task description
• labels (array, optional): Label names to apply
• projectId (string, optional): Target project ID
• parentId (string, optional): Parent task ID for subtasks

listTasks

List tasks with optional filtering.

Parameters:

• label (string, optional): Filter by label name
• projectId (string, optional): Filter by project ID

updateTask

Update an existing task.

Parameters:

• taskId (string): Task ID to update
• options (object): Update options
  • content (string, optional): New task content
  • dueString (string, optional): Due date in natural language
  • priority (number, optional): Priority level (1-4)
  • labels (array, optional): New label set

completeTask

Mark task(s) as complete.

Parameters:

• taskId (string, optional): Single task ID to complete
• taskIds (array, optional): Multiple task IDs to complete

deleteTask

Delete a task.

Parameters:

• taskId (string): Task ID to delete

processTask

Move a task to a different project (GTD processing).

Parameters:

• taskId (string): Task to move
• projectId (string): Destination project ID

Project Management

getProjects

List all projects in hierarchical structure.

createProject

Create a new project.

Parameters:

• name (string): Project name
• parentId (string, optional): Parent project ID
• color (string, optional): Color name
• isFavorite (boolean, optional): Mark as favorite

getProjectDetails

Get detailed information about a specific project.

Parameters:

• projectId (string): Project ID

deleteProject

Delete a project.

Parameters:

• projectId (string): Project ID to delete

Label Management

getLabels

List all available labels.

createLabel

Create a new label.

Parameters:

• name (string): Label name
• color (string, optional): Color name
• isFavorite (boolean, optional): Mark as favorite

Available Colors

For projects and labels, you can use these colors: berry_red, red, orange, yellow, lime_green, green, mint_green, teal, sky_blue, blue, grape, violet, lavender, magenta, salmon, charcoal, grey, taupe

Usage Examples

Basic Task Management

"Add a task 'Buy groceries' with label 'personal'"
"Show me all tasks in my Work project"
"Complete the task about finishing the report"
"Update my presentation task to be due tomorrow"

Project Organization

"Create a new project called 'Home Renovation'"
"Show me all my projects"
"Move the 'Call contractor' task to my Home project"

GTD Workflows

"Show me my inbox tasks that need processing"
"List all tasks with the 'next_actions' label"
"Move this task from inbox to my Personal project"

Development

Running in Development

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Run MCP server in development
npm run start:mcp

# Run tests
npm test

# Build project
npm run build

Project Structure

├── src/
│   ├── mcp_server.ts     # MCP server implementation (main executable)
│   ├── tools.ts          # Core Todoist API functions
│   └── index.ts          # CLI entry point
├── build/                # Compiled TypeScript output
└── package.json          # Project configuration

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"API Token Invalid"

• Verify your API token in Todoist Settings
• Check the token is correctly set in your environment
• Ensure no extra spaces in the token

"Command Not Found"

• Reinstall globally: npm install -g todoist-mcp-cli
• Check your PATH includes npm global bin directory
• Try using npx todoist-mcp-cli

MCP Connection Issues

• Verify environment variables are accessible to your AI client
• Check that the server command is correct in your AI client config
• Try restarting both the server and AI client

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Add tests for new functionality
5. Submit a pull request

License

MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• Built with the Model Context Protocol
• Powered by the Todoist API
• Inspired by Getting Things Done methodology