# Paper MCP

> Use when editing an open Paper board through the local Paper MCP server at http://127.0.0.1:29979/mcp. Prefer this over Computer Use for Paper canvas reads/writes, image placement, HTML writes, node inspection, screenshots, and exports.

- Skill: `ruicore/paper-mcp` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add ruicore/paper-mcp`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/ruicore/paper-mcp/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: ruicore (https://skillmd.com/u/ruicore)
- Updated: 2026-09-21
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/ruicore/paper-mcp

---


# Paper MCP

Use this skill for direct Paper board work. The local Paper desktop app exposes an MCP server at:

```bash
http://127.0.0.1:29979/mcp
```

The reusable CLI wrapper is:

```bash
"$HOME/.codex/tools/paper_mcp.py"
```

## Required Workflow

1. Load the Paper guide once per session:

```bash
"$HOME/.codex/tools/paper_mcp.py" call get_guide '{"topic":"paper-mcp-instructions"}'
```

2. Inspect the current board:

```bash
"$HOME/.codex/tools/paper_mcp.py" call get_basic_info '{}'
"$HOME/.codex/tools/paper_mcp.py" call get_selection '{}'
```

3. For image placement, use `write_html` with absolute local image paths through `paper-asset://`:

```bash
"$HOME/.codex/tools/paper_mcp.py" call write_html '{"targetNodeId":"root_node_1-0","mode":"insert-children","html":"<img layer-name=\"Example\" src=\"paper-asset:///[ABSOLUTE_IMAGE_PATH]\" style=\"position:absolute; left:0px; top:0px; width:320px; height:180px; object-fit:cover;\" />"}'
```

4. Verify meaningful changes with `get_screenshot`.

5. Always finish:

```bash
"$HOME/.codex/tools/paper_mcp.py" call finish_working_on_nodes '{}'
```

## Notes

- Do not use Computer Use for Paper board edits when this MCP server is reachable.
- Do not expose raw node IDs in final user-facing replies.
- Deleting Paper nodes changes board data; confirm with the user immediately before deletion.

## Portability Notes

- Specific to the author's current workflow: the Paper desktop app exposes a local MCP server at `http://127.0.0.1:29979/mcp`, and the wrapper lives under `$HOME/.codex/tools/`.
- Reusable: prefer structured MCP operations over fragile UI automation, inspect board state before edits, verify with screenshots, and finish node work explicitly.
- Adapt before reuse: update the local server URL, wrapper path, asset URL convention, board-selection workflow, and deletion-confirmation policy for the target Paper setup.