Markmap MCP server

This MCP server allows you to easily convert Markdown text into interactive mind maps with just one click. Built on the open-source markmap project, it provides a convenient way to visualize your Markdown content as structured, navigable mind maps that can be exported in various formats.

Installation Options

Installing via Smithery

The easiest way to install the Markmap MCP Server for Claude Desktop is through Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install @jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server --client claude

Installing from NPM

You can install the server globally using npm:

# Install globally
npm install @jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server -g

# Run with default settings
npx -y @jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server

# Specify a custom output directory
npx -y @jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server --output /path/to/output/directory

Installing from Source

If you prefer to install from source:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server.git

# Navigate to the project directory
cd markmap-mcp-server

# Build the project
npm install && npm run build

# Run the server
node build/index.js

Configuration

To use the Markmap MCP Server with your MCP client, add the following configuration to your MCP client configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "markmap": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "MARKMAP_DIR": "/path/to/output/directory"
      }
    }
  }
}

Environment Variables

The server supports the following environment variables:

• MARKMAP_DIR: Specifies the output directory for mind maps (optional, defaults to system temp directory)

Note: When both the --output command line argument and the MARKMAP_DIR environment variable are specified, the command line argument takes precedence.

Using the Mind Map Tool

Converting Markdown to Mind Map

The server provides a tool called markdown-to-mindmap that converts Markdown text into an interactive mind map.

Parameters:

• markdown: The Markdown content to convert (required string)
• open: Whether to automatically open the generated mind map in the browser (optional boolean, default is false)

Return Value:

The tool returns a JSON object containing the file path to the generated mind map:

{
  "content": [
    {
      "type": "text",
      "text": "JSON_DATA_OF_MINDMAP_FILEPATH"
    }
  ]
}

Features

The generated mind maps offer several useful features:

• Interactive Navigation: Zoom, pan, expand/collapse nodes
• Export Options: Save your mind maps as PNG, JPG, or SVG files
• Markdown Recovery: Easily copy the original Markdown content with one click
• Browser Preview: Option to automatically open generated mind maps in your browser

How to add this MCP server to Cursor

There are two ways to add an MCP server to Cursor. The most common way is to add the server globally in the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file so that it is available in all of your projects.

If you only need the server in a single project, you can add it to the project instead by creating or adding it to the .cursor/mcp.json file.

Adding an MCP server to Cursor globally

To add a global MCP server go to Cursor Settings > MCP and click "Add new global MCP server".

When you click that button the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file will be opened and you can add your server like this:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "cursor-rules-mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "cursor-rules-mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}

Adding an MCP server to a project

To add an MCP server to a project you can create a new .cursor/mcp.json file or add it to the existing one. This will look exactly the same as the global MCP server example above.

How to use the MCP server

Once the server is installed, you might need to head back to Settings > MCP and click the refresh button.

The Cursor agent will then be able to see the available tools the added MCP server has available and will call them when it needs to.

You can also explictly ask the agent to use the tool by mentioning the tool name and describing what the function does.