Manage Obsidian Tasks with AI - Tasks MCP Plugin

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a protocol that allows AI assistants to access external tools and data. Developed by Anthropic, it’s used in Claude Desktop, Claude Code, and other AI applications.

With MCP, AI can:

  • Access file systems
  • Query databases
  • Make API calls
  • Integrate with apps like Obsidian

What is Tasks MCP Plugin?

Tasks MCP Plugin exposes the Obsidian Tasks plugin API via an MCP server, allowing AI assistants to directly manage your tasks.

Key Features

Feature Description
add_task Add new tasks (to Daily Note or specified file)
query_tasks Search tasks using Tasks query syntax
update_task Modify tasks (description, dates, priority, etc.)
toggle_task Toggle complete/incomplete status
remove_task Delete tasks
list_tasks List all tasks

Installation

1. Install Obsidian Tasks Plugin

First, install the Tasks plugin from Obsidian Community Plugins.

2. Install Tasks MCP Plugin

Search for Tasks MCP Server in Community Plugins and install it.

If not yet available in Community Plugins, download main.js and manifest.json from GitHub Releases and place them in .obsidian/plugins/tasks-mcp/ folder.

3. Configure MCP Client

Add the following to your Claude Desktop or other MCP client configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "obsidian-tasks": {
      "url": "http://localhost:3789/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Use Cases

1. Add Tasks with Natural Language

Example conversation:

User: "I need to finish the report by tomorrow. High priority."

AI: Calls add_task →
    - [ ] Finish the report ⏫ 📅 2026-01-07

The AI parses natural language and adds tasks with appropriate dates and priorities.

2. Check Today’s Tasks

Example conversation:

User: "What do I need to do today?"

AI: Calls query_tasks (query: "not done\ndue today")
    → Returns incomplete tasks due today

3. Manage Project Tasks

Example conversation:

User: "Show me remaining tasks for #project-x"

AI: Calls query_tasks (query: "not done\ntag includes #project-x")
    → Returns incomplete tasks with that tag

4. Set Up Recurring Tasks

Example conversation:

User: "Create a task to prepare for weekly meeting every Monday"

AI: Calls add_task →
    - [ ] Prepare for weekly meeting 🔁 every week on Monday

5. Complete Tasks

Example conversation:

User: "I finished the report"

AI: Calls toggle_task →
    - [x] Finish the report ⏫ 📅 2026-01-07 ✅ 2026-01-06

The Tasks plugin API automatically adds the completion date.

6. Reschedule Tasks

Example conversation:

User: "Move the report deadline to next week"

AI: Calls update_task (dueDate: "2026-01-13")
    → Updates the due date

7. Analyze Completed Tasks

Example conversation:

User: "Summarize what I completed this week"

AI: Calls query_tasks (query: "done")
    → Analyzes and summarizes completed tasks

Tasks Query Syntax

Filters available in query_tasks:

# Status
not done          # Incomplete
done              # Completed
in progress       # In progress

# Dates
due today         # Due today
due before today  # Overdue
due 2026-01-15    # Due on specific date
has due date      # Has a due date
no due date       # No due date

# Tags
tag includes #work
tag does not include #personal

# Path
path includes Projects
path does not include Archive

# Priority
priority is high
priority is medium

# Recurrence
is recurring
is not recurring

# Combinations (AND/OR/NOT)
not done AND due before today
tag includes #work OR tag includes #urgent

Settings

Configure these options in the plugin settings:

Setting Default Description
Server port 3789 MCP server port
Auto-start server true Start server when Obsidian launches

Example Workflows

Morning Routine

User: "What's on my plate today?"

AI:
📋 Today's Tasks (2026-01-06):

High Priority:
- [ ] Finish the report ⏫ 📅 2026-01-06

Normal:
- [ ] Check emails 📅 2026-01-06
- [ ] Prepare for meeting 📅 2026-01-06

⚠️ Overdue:
- [ ] Code review 📅 2026-01-05

Evening Review

User: "Wrap up today - complete what's done and reschedule the rest"

AI:
✅ Completed:
- [x] Finish the report ✅ 2026-01-06
- [x] Check emails ✅ 2026-01-06

📅 Moved to tomorrow:
- [ ] Prepare for meeting 📅 2026-01-07 (updated)
- [ ] Code review 📅 2026-01-07 (updated)

Troubleshooting

Server Won’t Start

  1. Verify Tasks plugin is installed
  2. Check if another app is using port 3789
  3. Change the port number in settings

AI Can’t Find Tasks

  1. Ensure tasks use Tasks plugin format (- [ ])
  2. Verify files are markdown files (.md)

Conclusion

With Tasks MCP Plugin, your AI assistant becomes more than a conversation partner - it becomes a true productivity assistant that can manage your tasks directly. Just speak naturally, and the AI handles the formatting and saves everything to Obsidian.