Connect Claude Desktop via Extension
In this tutorial you will connect Claude Desktop to NoteCove using the one-click extension bundle. By the end, Claude will be able to search your notes, create tasks, and manage your projects.
Before you start
You need:
- NoteCove desktop app installed and running
- Claude Desktop installed
Step 1: Install the CLI
The notecove command ships inside the desktop app. Install it from the menu:
Tools → CLI → Install CLI…
Select your shell (bash, zsh, fish) and click Install. Open a new terminal window and verify:
notecove --version
You should see the version number matching your desktop app.
Step 2: Find your profile ID
notecove profiles
You will see output like:
Available profiles:
cqgvdjjwtfh3k1fpr14yjm70ja
Name: My Profile
Version: 0.3.9
Copy the long ID string — you will need it in the next step.
Step 3: Set up global authentication
Claude Desktop launches processes from an unpredictable directory, so you need a global config that is always found:
notecove init --global \
--profile <your-profile-id> \
--tasks-project <your-project-slug> \
--notes
For example:
notecove init --global \
--profile cqgvdjjwtfh3k1fpr14yjm70ja \
--tasks-project NOTE \
--notes
NoteCove shows an approval dialog in the desktop app — approve it to grant access.
Access options
| Flag | What it grants |
|---|---|
--tasks-project NOTE | Read/write tasks in the NOTE project |
--all-tasks | Read/write tasks in all projects |
--notes | Read/write notes (scoped to your project’s storage) |
--all-notes | Read/write all notes across all storage directories |
You can re-run init --global at any time to change the scope.
Step 4: Verify the connection
notecove folder list
You should see your folders listed. If you get a “no config found” error, check that NoteCove is running and re-run the init step.
Step 5: Build the extension bundle
notecove mcp --package
This creates notecove-mcp.mcpb in the current directory.
Step 6: Install in Claude Desktop
Double-click notecove-mcp.mcpb. Claude Desktop prompts you to install the extension. Click Install, then restart Claude Desktop.
Step 7: Try it out
Open a new conversation in Claude Desktop and try:
“List my folders in NoteCove”
“What tasks are in progress in my NOTE project?”
“Create a task called ‘Review PR’ in the NOTE project”
Claude uses the notecove tool to run commands and shows you the results.
Updating the extension
When you upgrade NoteCove, rebuild and reinstall:
notecove mcp --package
# Double-click notecove-mcp.mcpb to reinstall
Your auth config stays in place — no need to re-authenticate.
Troubleshooting
- “No .notecove file found” — NoteCove must be running when you run
init. Start the app and try again. - Extension not connecting — Remove and reinstall the
.mcpb. Build a fresh one withnotecove mcp --package.
Next steps
- Connect via manual MCP config if you need more control over the setup
- Agent workflows to learn what you can do once connected