Where does the indexed data live?

Data is stored in an SQLite database at the path specified by `DB_PATH` (default `/data/notes.sqlite` in Docker). The database is mounted as a Docker volume.

How does it handle concurrent access from other services?

SQLite is run in Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) mode. Other services can mount the same volume read-only (e.g., `/data:ro`) and safely query the database while Obsidian Index Service writes to it.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH`, `DB_PATH`, `DB_VOLUME_PATH` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

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Obsidian Index Service MCP Server

A service that monitors an Obsidian vault for file changes (new, modified, or deleted Markdown files) and indexes each note’s metadata and content

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Obsidian Index Service MCP Server?

A service that monitors an Obsidian vault for file changes (new, modified, or deleted Markdown files) and indexes each note’s metadata and content into an SQLite

What the server does

This service monitors an Obsidian vault directory and indexes Markdown files—metadata and full content—into an SQLite database. I built it to work with my mcp-server project, but switched to an implementation that uses the Obsidian plugin API instead. I still see use for this as an agnostic note indexer or sync tool (see note under "Future Steps"), so I'm putting it up here.

Credentials and setup notes

Python 3.12 or later - Docker and Docker Compose (for containerized use) - uv (optional, but recommended)

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How to install the Obsidian Index Service MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "obsidian-index-service": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["pytest"],
      "env": {
        "OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH": "your-value",
        "DB_PATH": "your-value",
        "DB_VOLUME_PATH": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

Python 3.12 or later - Docker and Docker Compose (for containerized use) - uv (optional, but recommended)

Variable	Description	Required
OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH	Filesystem location the server is allowed to use.	Optional
DB_PATH	Filesystem location the server is allowed to use.	Optional
DB_VOLUME_PATH	Filesystem location the server is allowed to use.	Optional