This Model Context Protocol (MCP) server lets you use Claude Desktop to interact with your task management data in Things 3. You can ask Claude or your MCP client of choice to create tasks, analyze projects, help manage priorities, and more.

This MCP server leverages a combination of the Things.py library and Things 3’s AppleScript support, enabling reading and writing to Things 3.

Why Things MCP?

This MCP server unlocks the power of AI for your task management:

• Natural Language Task Creation: Ask Claude to create richly-detailed tasks and descriptions in natural language
• Smart Task Analysis: Let Claude explore your project lists and focus areas and provide insights into your work
• GTD & Productivity Workflows: Let Claude help you implement productivity and prioritisation systems
• Seamless Integration: Works directly with your existing Things 3 data

Features

• Access to all major Things lists (Inbox, Today, Upcoming, Logbook, Someday, etc.)
• Project and Area management and assignment
• Tagging operations for tasks and projects
• Advanced search capabilities
• Recent items tracking
• Support for nested data (projects within areas, todos within projects)
• Checklist/Subtask support - Read and display existing checklist items from todos

Installation

Prerequisites

• Python 3.12+
• Claude Desktop
• Things 3 for MacOS

Step 1: Install the package

Option A: Install from PyPI in a virtual environment (recommended)

# Create a virtual environment in your home directory
python3 -m venv ~/.venvs/things3-mcp-env
source ~/.venvs/things3-mcp-env/bin/activate

# Install the package
pip install Things3-MCP-server==2.0.6

Option B: Install from source (for development/contributors)

# Install uv if you haven't already
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
# Restart your terminal afterwards

# Clone and install the package with development dependencies
git clone https://github.com/rossshannon/Things3-MCP
cd Things3-MCP
uv venv
uv pip install -e ".[dev]"  # Install in development mode with extra dependencies

Step 2: Configure Claude Desktop

Edit the Claude Desktop configuration file:

code ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Add the Things server to the mcpServers key in the configuration file:

Option A: Using PyPI package in virtual environment

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "things": {
            "command": "~/.venvs/things3-mcp-env/bin/Things3-MCP-server"
        }
    }
}

Option B: Using source installation (for development/contributors)

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "things": {
            "command": "uv",
            "args": [
                "--directory",
                "/ABSOLUTE/PATH/TO/PARENT/FOLDER/Things3-MCP",
                "run",
                "Things3-MCP-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}

Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop

Restart the Claude Desktop app to enable the integration.

Sample Usage with Claude Desktop

• “What’s on my todo list today?”
• “Create a todo to prepare for each of my 1-on-1s next week”
• “Evaluate my todos scheduled for today using the Eisenhower matrix.”
• “Help me conduct a GTD-style weekly review using Things.”

Tips

• Create a Project in Claude with custom instructions that explains how you use Things and organize areas, projects, tags, etc. Tell Claude what information you want included when it creates a new task (e.g., asking it to include relevant details in the task description, whether to use emojis, etc.).
• Try combining this with another MCP server that gives Claude ac

... View full README on GitHub