# Signboard MCP > Use this skill when working with Signboard boards through the local MCP server (listing views/lists/cards, reading cards, and safely creating/updating/moving cards, boards, or board settings). - Skill: `tomevault-io/signboard-mcp` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/signboard-mcp` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/signboard-mcp/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/signboard-mcp --- # Signboard MCP Skill Use this skill when the user asks to read or modify Signboard data through MCP. ## Preconditions - Signboard MCP server is configured and running. - `boardRoot` values must be absolute paths. - Respect server mode from `signboard_get_config`: - `readOnly: true` means do not attempt write tools. - `allowedRoots` is the union of explicit MCP roots and desktop trusted board roots; only use board paths inside those roots. ## Tool Workflow 1. Call `signboard_get_config` first. 2. If board root is unknown, prefer `signboard_resolve_board_by_name` first when `allowedRoots` are available; otherwise ask user for the absolute board path. 3. Discover structure: - `signboard_list_lists` - `signboard_list_cards` - `signboard_read_card` as needed 4. Before write actions, verify: - user requested the change - server is not read-only - target list/card exists (or should be created) 5. Execute write tool only after checks: - `signboard_create_card` - `signboard_update_card` - `signboard_duplicate_card` - `signboard_archive_card` - `signboard_move_card` - `signboard_create_list` - `signboard_rename_board` - `signboard_move_board` - `signboard_update_board_settings` ## Safety Rules - Never invent filesystem paths. - Never pass relative paths as `boardRoot`. - Do not attempt path traversal or multi-segment names in list/card fields. - Prefer read operations first when user intent is ambiguous. - Treat `XXX-Archive` as archive list unless user explicitly asks to include/use it. ## Tool Reference - `signboard_get_config`: inspect MCP mode and path constraints. - `signboard_list_board_views`: list available board views (`kanban`, `calendar`, `this-week`). - `signboard_resolve_board_by_name`: map a board directory name to absolute board paths under allowed roots, including allowed roots that are themselves board folders. - `signboard_list_lists`: get list directory names in a board. - `signboard_list_cards`: get card markdown files in a list. - `signboard_read_card`: return normalized frontmatter and body. - `signboard_create_card`: create a card from title/body/optional due+labels. - `signboard_update_card`: patch title/body/due/labels of a card, including section edits, note insertion, label add/remove/clear, and dry-run previews. - `signboard_duplicate_card`: duplicate an existing card with optional title/body override, label add/remove/clear, and dry-run preview. - `signboard_archive_card`: move a card to `XXX-Archive`. - `signboard_move_card`: move card between lists. - `signboard_create_list`: create a list directory. - `signboard_rename_board`: rename a board directory. - `signboard_move_board`: move a board directory to a new parent directory. - `signboard_read_board_settings`: read labels/theme/notification settings. - `signboard_update_board_settings`: update labels/theme/notification settings. ## Output Style - Confirm which board path was used. - For reads, summarize key data (lists, card ids/titles, due dates, labels). - For writes, report exactly what changed (before/after when relevant). - If blocked by read-only mode or root restrictions, state the exact constraint and required user action. --- > Source: [cdevroe/signboard](https://github.com/cdevroe/signboard) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).