# Joplin

> Interact with Joplin notes via CLI. Use for reading, creating, editing notes and managing todos. Supports WebDAV sync and kanban-formatted notes.

- Skill: `modbender/joplin` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add modbender/joplin`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/modbender/joplin/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: modbender (https://skillmd.com/u/modbender)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/modbender/joplin

---


# Joplin CLI Skill

Use `joplin` CLI to interact with Joplin notes.

## ⚠️ Important: Use CLI, Not SQL

**Always use the `joplin` CLI for editing notes.** Do not modify the SQLite database directly unless absolutely necessary. Direct database edits can cause sync conflicts and data loss.

## Setup

If Joplin is not configured with WebDAV, configure it:

```bash
joplin config sync.target 6
joplin config sync.6.path "https://your-webdav-server/path"
joplin config sync.6.username "your-username"
joplin config sync.6.password "your-password"
joplin sync
```

## Common Commands

### List Notebooks and Notes
```bash
joplin ls                          # List notebooks
joplin ls "Notebook Name"          # List notes in a notebook
joplin status                      # Show sync status and note counts
joplin ls -l                       # List with IDs
```

### Read Note
```bash
joplin cat <note-id>               # Display note content
joplin cat "Note Title"            # Also works with title
joplin note <note-id>              # Open note in editor
```

### Create Note
```bash
joplin mknote "Note Title"         # Create note in default notebook
joplin mknote "Note Title" --notebook "Notebook Name"
joplin mkbook "New Notebook"       # Create new notebook
```

**Tip:** Always ask the user which notebook to use. Use:
- `joplin use` — shows current notebook
- `joplin use "Notebook Name"` — switch to a notebook
- `joplin ls` — see all notebooks

### Edit Note
```bash
joplin edit --note <note-id>       # Edit note in editor
joplin set <note-id> title "New title"  # Change note title
```

### Delete Note
```bash
joplin rmnote <note-id>            # Delete note
joplin rmbook "Notebook Name"      # Delete notebook
```

### Move Notes Between Notebooks
```bash
joplin mv "Note Title" "Target Notebook"
```

### Todos
```bash
joplin todos                       # List all todos
joplin todo <note-id>              # Toggle todo status
joplin done <note-id>              # Mark as done
joplin undone <note-id>            # Mark as not done
```

### Sync
```bash
joplin sync                        # Sync with WebDAV server
```

### Export
```bash
joplin export <note-id> --format md
joplin export <note-id> --format html
joplin export <note-id> --format pdf
```

### Import
```bash
joplin import /path/to/note.md --notebook "Notebook Name"
```

### Search

Note: `joplin search` is only available in GUI mode. Use `joplin ls` and pipe to grep instead.

## All Joplin Commands

```
attach, batch, cat, config, cp, done, e2ee, edit, export, geoloc, help, 
import, ls, mkbook, mknote, mktodo, mv, ren, restore, rmbook, rmnote, 
server, set, share, status, sync, tag, todo, undone, use, version
```

### Referencing Notes and Notebooks

A note or notebook can be referred to by:
- **Title**: `"Note Title"`
- **ID**: `fe889` (get from `joplin ls -l`)
- **Shortcuts**:
  - `$n` — Currently selected note
  - `$b` — Currently selected notebook
  - `$c` — Currently selected item

## Interactive Shell Mode

Joplin can run interactively (like a shell). Start with just `joplin`:

```bash
joplin                          # Start interactive mode
```

### Shell Commands (prefix with `:`)

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `:sync` | Sync with WebDAV server |
| `:quit` or `:q` | Exit Joplin |
| `:help` | Show help |
| `:open <note-id>` | Open a note |

### Shell Mode Shortcuts
- `e` — Edit current note
- `i` — Insert new note
- `Space` — Select item
- `Enter` — Open note

### Example Workflow
```bash
# Create a notebook
joplin mkbook "My notebook"

# Switch to it
joplin use "My notebook"

# Create a note
joplin mknote "My note"

# View notes with IDs
joplin ls -l

# Edit a note's title
joplin set <note-id> title "New title"
```

## Kanban Notes (YesYouKan Plugin)

Some notebooks use the YesYouKan kanban plugin for visual kanban boards. These notes have a specific format that **must be preserved** when editing:

### Kanban Format

```markdown
# Notebook Name

# Backlog

## Task 1

Description here

## Task 2



# In progress

## Another Task

Details



# Done

## Completed Task

Result

```kanban-settings
# Do not remove this block
```
```

### ⚠️ Kanban Formatting Rules

1. **Always include the kanban-settings block** at the end of the note with the exact format:
   ```
   ```kanban-settings
   # Do not remove this block
   ```
   ```

2. **Use `##` for task headings** (not `#`)

3. **Keep column headings** as `# Backlog`, `# In progress`, `# Done`

4. **Preserve blank lines** between tasks — these are visible in the kanban view

5. **After editing a kanban note, always run `joplin sync`** to upload changes

6. **Verify changes with `joplin cat <note-id>`** to ensure formatting is correct

### Moving Tasks Between Columns

When moving a task, simply move the `##` task section from one column to another.