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Claude.ai

Claude.ai connects through a custom connector that signs in with OAuth, so the server needs MCP_BASE_URL and MCP_OAUTH_SECRET set and an HTTPS public URL. A connector you add on the web is also available in the Claude desktop and mobile apps.

Log in to claude.ai first

Make sure you are already logged in to claude.ai before adding the connector. If claude.ai asks you to log in partway through, it can drop the finished OAuth login, and the connector stays unauthenticated with no tools. Remove that connector and add it again; the second attempt goes straight through.

  1. In a new chat, open the + menu below the message box and choose Connectors → Add connector → Add custom connector. Settings → Connectors has the same button.

    Claude.ai + menu open at Connectors → Add connector → Add custom connector

  2. Enter a name (for example Trilium, shown in the connectors list) and the URL https://trilium-mcp.example.com/mcp, then click Continue.

    Claude.ai Add custom connector dialog with the name Trilium and the trilium-mcp URL

  3. Claude.ai detects the server's OAuth support. Keep the detected choices, Sign in now and Register automatically, and click Add. No request headers are needed.

    Claude.ai connector authentication step with Sign in now and Register automatically selected

  4. The trilium-mcp login page opens. Enter your Trilium password and click Authorize; you are sent back to claude.ai. If you added the connector in Claude Desktop, your browser first asks Finish connecting a connector?; click Continue connecting.

    trilium-mcp login page asking for the Trilium password, with an Authorize button

    From Claude Desktop, the tab then shows Connected and hands you back to the app; close it or click Open desktop app.

    Claude page saying Connected, taking you back to the desktop app

  5. In a chat, open + → Connectors and switch the connector on to use its tools.

  6. Check that all tools arrived: open the connector under Settings → Connectors. Tool permissions should list all 38 tools. If the list is empty, the login didn't finish; see the warning above.

    Claude connector settings listing the 38 Trilium tools under Tool permissions

    The same list lets you choose per tool whether Claude may always use it, must ask first, or may never use it, for example asking first for the Delete… tools.

The connector gets its own ETAPI token, visible and deletable under Options → ETAPI in Trilium. Deleting it there disconnects just this connector.

More than one Trilium

Add one connector per trilium-mcp container, each under its own name. See Multiple Trilium instances.