> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://roam-tui.avelino.run/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://roam-tui.avelino.run/mcp-server/setup.md).

# Setup

## Configuration

The MCP server needs your Roam graph name and API token. Configure via environment variables or config file.

### Environment variables

```bash
export ROAM_GRAPH_NAME="your-graph-name"
export ROAM_GRAPH_API__TOKEN="roam-graph-token-..."
```

### Config file

Same config file as the TUI (`~/.config/roam-tui/config.toml`):

```toml
[graph]
name = "your-graph-name"
api_token = "roam-graph-token-..."
```

## Client configuration

### Claude Desktop / Claude Code

Add to your MCP settings:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "roam": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "roam-tui@latest", "--mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ROAM_GRAPH_NAME": "your-graph-name",
        "ROAM_GRAPH_API__TOKEN": "roam-graph-token-..."
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Using a local binary

If you installed via `cargo install roam-sdk`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "roam": {
      "command": "roam",
      "args": ["--mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ROAM_GRAPH_NAME": "your-graph-name",
        "ROAM_GRAPH_API__TOKEN": "roam-graph-token-..."
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Cursor

Add to `.cursor/mcp.json` in your project or `~/.cursor/mcp.json` globally:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "roam": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "roam-tui@latest", "--mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ROAM_GRAPH_NAME": "your-graph-name",
        "ROAM_GRAPH_API__TOKEN": "roam-graph-token-..."
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Supported platforms

The npm package includes pre-built binaries for:

| Platform | Architecture                   |
| -------- | ------------------------------ |
| macOS    | ARM64 (Apple Silicon), x86\_64 |
| Linux    | x86\_64, ARM64                 |
| Windows  | x86\_64                        |

## Verifying

Once configured, ask your AI assistant to search your Roam graph:

> "Search my Roam graph for pages about 'project'"

It should use the `search` tool and return matching page titles.


---

# Agent Instructions
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## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://roam-tui.avelino.run/mcp-server/setup.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

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