alto.index has a built-in MCP server, so Claude Desktop can read your exported data straight from your Mac. Nothing is uploaded: the server runs locally and only reads the folder alto.index exports to.
Setup
Start the server in alto.index
- open the Integrations tab and press start on MCP Server
- it runs on http://localhost:8743/mcp
Install the Claude Desktop extension
- download altoindex-extension.mcpb
- in Claude Desktop open Settings > Extensions
- press Install Extension and pick the file you downloaded
Ask Claude about your data
- "search my notes for the Q4 planning meeting"
- "what have I been working on this week?"
The extension needs alto.index running with the server started. If you quit the app, the tools stop answering.
Tools
- list: items from one source
- search: full text search across one source or all of them
- read: the full content of one item
- get_metadata: counts and last sync time per source
- get_recent: recently changed items across sources
- get_stats: counts and totals per source
All six are read only. They never change your data.
Without the extension
Any MCP client that speaks streamable HTTP can use the same endpoint:
{
"mcpServers": {
"altoindex": { "url": "http://localhost:8743/mcp" }
}
}The app writes this for you: Integrations tab, copy config.
Troubleshooting
The server will not start
- something else may hold port 8743
- restart alto.index and try again
Claude Desktop shows no alto.index tools
- check the server is running (the dot next to MCP Server is green)
- reinstall the extension and restart Claude Desktop
The tools find nothing
- sync at least one source first
- check your export folder in settings
Privacy
The server listens on localhost only, starts when you press start, and stops when you quit the app. It reads the export folder and nothing else. No data leaves your Mac.
Questions: support