things-mcp

MCP server for Things 3 on macOS. Gives Claude (and any MCP client) read/write access to your tasks, projects, areas, and tags via the Things SQLite database and URL scheme.

Requirements

• macOS
• Things 3 installed
• Node.js >= 18

Install

Claude Code

claude mcp add things-mcp -- node /path/to/things-mcp/start-mcp-server.js

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "things-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/things-mcp/start-mcp-server.js"]
    }
  }
}

From source

git clone https://github.com/AaronRoeF/things-mcp.git
cd things-mcp
npm install
npm run build

Tools

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | things_today | List all to-dos in the Today list | | things_inbox | List all to-dos in the Inbox | | things_upcoming | List to-dos scheduled for future dates | | things_anytime | List open to-dos in the Anytime list | | things_someday | List to-dos in the Someday list | | things_logbook | List completed to-dos | | things_projects | List all projects with status and open to-do count | | things_areas | List all areas with project and to-do counts | | things_tags | List all tags | | things_search | Search to-dos by keyword (title and notes) | | things_get | Get a specific to-do by ID with full details and checklist | | things_project_todos | List all to-dos in a specific project | | things_create | Create a new to-do | | things_complete | Mark a to-do as complete | | things_update | Update an existing to-do |

Read tools (12)

Read tools query the Things 3 SQLite database directly in read-only mode. No authentication required.

Write tools (3)

things_create, things_complete, and things_update use JXA (JavaScript for Automation) and the Things URL scheme. If you use the Things URL scheme auth token, set the THINGS_AUTH_TOKEN environment variable.

How it works

• SQLite reads: The server opens the Things 3 database at ~/Library/Group Containers/JLMPQHK86H.com.culturedcode.ThingsMac/ThingsData-1YQ4E/Things Database.thingsdatabase/main.sqlite in read-only mode using better-sqlite3.
• JXA writes: Create and update operations use osascript -l JavaScript to invoke the Things URL scheme.
• Date encoding: Things stores dates as packed integers (year << 16) | (month << 12) | (day << 7). The server handles encoding/decoding transparently.

License

MIT