developer-toolsproductivity

Paperless-NGX

baruchiro

by baruchiro

Paperless-NGX is advanced document management software using AI for easy organizing, searching, and managing your docume

Enables AI to interact with Paperless-NGX document management systems for organizing, searching, and managing document collections through natural language commands.

github stars

68

0 commentsdiscussion

Both formats append explainx.ai attribution and the canonical URL for this MCP server listing.

Requires existing Paperless-NGX instanceUses API token authentication

best for

  • / Personal document organization
  • / Small business paperwork management
  • / Home office filing systems
  • / Digital archiving workflows

capabilities

  • / List and search documents
  • / Create and manage tags with colors
  • / Add and edit correspondents
  • / Upload new documents
  • / Create document types
  • / Download documents

what it does

Connects to your Paperless-NGX document management system to help you organize, search, and manage digital documents through Claude.

about

Paperless-NGX is a community-built MCP server published by baruchiro that provides AI assistants with tools and capabilities via the Model Context Protocol. Paperless-NGX is advanced document management software using AI for easy organizing, searching, and managing your docume It is categorized under developer tools, productivity.

how to install

You can install Paperless-NGX in your AI client of choice. Use the install panel on this page to get one-click setup for Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, and other MCP-compatible clients. This server runs locally on your machine via the stdio transport.

license

ISC

Paperless-NGX is released under the ISC license. This is a permissive open-source license, meaning you can freely use, modify, and distribute the software.

readme

# Paperless-NGX MCP Server ![CodeRabbit Pull Request Reviews](https://img.shields.io/coderabbit/prs/github/baruchiro/paperless-mcp?utm_source=oss&utm_medium=github&utm_campaign=baruchiro%2Fpaperless-mcp&labelColor=171717&color=FF570A&link=https%3A%2F%2Fcoderabbit.ai&label=CodeRabbit+Reviews) An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for interacting with a Paperless-NGX API server. This server provides tools for managing documents, tags, correspondents, and document types in your Paperless-NGX instance. ## Quick Start [![Install MCP Server](https://cursor.com/deeplink/mcp-install-light.svg)](https://cursor.com/install-mcp?name=paperless&config=eyJjb21tYW5kIjoibnB4IC15IEBiYXJ1Y2hpcm8vcGFwZXJsZXNzLW1jcEBsYXRlc3QiLCJlbnYiOnsiUEFQRVJMRVNTX1VSTCI6Imh0dHA6Ly95b3VyLXBhcGVybGVzcy1pbnN0YW5jZTo4MDAwIiwiUEFQRVJMRVNTX0FQSV9LRVkiOiJ5b3VyLWFwaS10b2tlbiJ9fQ%3D%3D) ### Installation Add these to your MCP config file: // STDIO mode (recommended for local or CLI use) ```json "paperless": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "-y", "@baruchiro/paperless-mcp@latest", ], "env": { "PAPERLESS_URL": "http://your-paperless-instance:8000", "PAPERLESS_API_KEY": "your-api-token", "PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL": "https://your-public-domain.com" } } ``` // HTTP mode (recommended for Docker or remote use) ```json "paperless": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "-i", "--rm", "ghcr.io/baruchiro/paperless-mcp:latest", ], "env": { "PAPERLESS_URL": "http://your-paperless-instance:8000", "PAPERLESS_API_KEY": "your-api-token", "PAPERLESS_PUBLIC_URL": "https://your-public-domain.com" } } ``` 3. Get your API token: 1. Log into your Paperless-NGX instance 2. Click your username in the top right 3. Select "My Profile" 4. Click the circular arrow button to generate a new token 4. Replace the placeholders in your MCP config: - `http://your-paperless-instance:8000` with your Paperless-NGX URL - `your-api-token` with the token you just generated - `https://your-public-domain.com` with your public Paperless-NGX URL (optional, falls back to PAPERLESS_URL) That's it! Now you can ask Claude to help you manage your Paperless-NGX documents. ### Example Usage Here are some things you can ask Claude to do: - "Show me all documents tagged as 'Invoice'" - "Search for documents containing 'tax return'" - "Create a new tag called 'Receipts' with color #FF0000" - "Download document #123" - "List all correspondents" - "Create a new document type called 'Bank Statement'" ## Available Tools ### Document Operations #### list_documents Get a paginated list of all documents. Parameters: - page (optional): Page number - page_size (optional): Number of documents per page ```typescript list_documents({ page: 1, page_size: 25 }) ``` #### get_document Get a specific document by ID. Parameters: - id: Document ID ```typescript get_document({ id: 123 }) ``` #### search_documents Full-text search across documents. Parameters: - query: Search query string ```typescript search_documents({ query: "invoice 2024" }) ``` #### download_document Download a document file by ID. Parameters: - id: Document ID - original (optional): If true, downloads original file instead of archived version ```typescript download_document({ id: 123, original: false }) ``` #### get_document_thumbnail Get a document thumbnail (image preview) by ID. Returns the thumbnail as a base64-encoded WebP image resource. Parameters: - id: Document ID ```typescript get_document_thumbnail({ id: 123 }) ``` #### bulk_edit_documents Perform bulk operations on multiple documents. Parameters: - documents: Array of document IDs - method: One of: - set_correspondent: Set correspondent for documents - set_document_type: Set document type for documents - set_storage_path: Set storage path for documents - add_tag: Add a tag to documents - remove_tag: Remove a tag from documents - modify_tags: Add and/or remove multiple tags - delete: Delete documents - reprocess: Reprocess documents - set_permissions: Set document permissions - merge: Merge multiple documents - split: Split a document into multiple documents - rotate: Rotate document pages - delete_pages: Delete specific pages from a document - Additional parameters based on method: - correspondent: ID for set_correspondent - document_type: ID for set_document_type - storage_path: ID for set_storage_path - tag: ID for add_tag/remove_tag - add_tags: Array of tag IDs for modify_tags - remove_tags: Array of tag IDs for modify_tags - permissions: Object for set_permissions with owner, permissions, merge flag - metadata_document_id: ID for merge to specify metadata source - delete_originals: Boolean for merge/split - pages: String for split "[1,2-3,4,5-7]" or delete_pages "[2,3,4]" - degrees: Number for rotate (90, 180, or 270) Examples: ```typescript // Add a tag to multiple documents bulk_edit_documents({ documents: [1, 2, 3], method: "add_tag", tag: 5 }) // Set correspondent and document type bulk_edit_documents({ documents: [4, 5], method: "set_correspondent", correspondent: 2 }) // Merge documents bulk_edit_documents({ documents: [6, 7, 8], method: "merge", metadata_document_id: 6, delete_originals: true }) // Split document into parts bulk_edit_documents({ documents: [9], method: "split", pages: "[1-2,3-4,5]" }) // Modify multiple tags at once bulk_edit_documents({ documents: [10, 11], method: "modify_tags", add_tags: [1, 2], remove_tags: [3, 4] }) // Modify custom fields bulk_edit_documents({ documents: [12, 13], method: "modify_custom_fields", add_custom_fields: { "2": "שנה" } }) ``` #### post_document Upload a new document to Paperless-NGX. Parameters: - file: Base64 encoded file content - filename: Name of the file - title (optional): Title for the document - created (optional): DateTime when the document was created (e.g. "2024-01-19" or "2024-01-19 06:15:00+02:00") - correspondent (optional): ID of a correspondent - document_type (optional): ID of a document type - storage_path (optional): ID of a storage path - tags (optional): Array of tag IDs - archive_serial_number (optional): Archive serial number - custom_fields (optional): Array of custom field IDs ```typescript post_document({ file: "base64_encoded_content", filename: "invoice.pdf", title: "January Invoice", created: "2024-01-19", correspondent: 1, document_type: 2, tags: [1, 3], archive_serial_number: "2024-001", custom_fields: [1, 2] }) ``` ### Tag Operations #### list_tags Get all tags. ```typescript list_tags() ``` #### create_tag Create a new tag. Parameters: - name: Tag name - color (optional): Hex color code (e.g. "#ff0000") - match (optional): Text pattern to match - matching_algorithm (optional): Number between 0 and 6: 0 - None 1 - Any word 2 - All words 3 - Exact match 4 - Regular expression 5 - Fuzzy word 6 - Automatic ```typescript create_tag({ name: "Invoice", color: "#ff0000", match: "invoice", matching_algorithm: 5 }) ``` ### Correspondent Operations #### list_correspondents Get all correspondents. ```typescript list_correspondents() ``` #### create_correspondent Create a new correspondent. Parameters: - name: Correspondent name - match (optional): Text pattern to match - matching_algorithm (optional): Number between 0 and 6: 0 - None 1 - Any word 2 - All words 3 - Exact match 4 - Regular expression 5 - Fuzzy word 6 - Automatic ```typescript create_correspondent({ name: "ACME Corp", match: "ACME", matching_algorithm: 5 }) ``` ### Document Type Operations #### list_document_types Get all document types. ```typescript list_document_types() ``` #### create_document_type Create a new document type. Parameters: - name: Document type name - match (optional): Text pattern to match - matching_algorithm (optional): Number between 0 and 6: 0 - None 1 - Any word 2 - All words 3 - Exact match 4 - Regular expression 5 - Fuzzy word 6 - Automatic ```typescript create_document_type({ name: "Invoice", match: "invoice total amount due", matching_algorithm: 1 }) ``` ### Custom Field Operations #### list_custom_fields Get all custom fields. ```typescript list_custom_fields() ``` #### get_custom_field Get a specific custom field by ID. Parameters: - id: Custom field ID ```typescript get_custom_field({ id: 1 }) ``` #### create_custom_field Create a new custom field. Parameters: - name: Custom field name - data_type: One of "string", "url", "date", "boolean", "integer", "float", "monetary", "documentlink", "select" - extra_data (optional): Extra data for the custom field, such as select options ```typescript create_custom_field({ name: "Invoice Number", data_type: "string" }) ``` #### update_custom_field Update an existing custom field. Parameters: - id: Custom field ID - name (optional): New custom field name - data_type (optional): New data type - extra_data (optional): Extra data for the custom field ```typescript update_custom_field({ id: 1, name: "Updated Invoice Number", data_type: "string" }) ``` #### delete_custom_field Delete a custom field. Parameters: - id: Custom field ID ```typescript delete_custom_field({ id: 1 }) ``` #### bulk_edit_custom_fields Perform bulk operations on multiple custom fields. Parameters: - custom_fields: Array of custom field IDs - operation: One of "delete" ```typescript bulk_edit_custom_fields({ custom_fields: [1, 2, 3], operation: "delete" }) ``` ## Error Handling The server will show clear error messages if: - The Paperless-NGX URL or API token is incorrect - The Paperless-NGX server is unreachable - The requested operation fails - The provided parameters are invalid ## Development Want to c ---

FAQ

What is the Paperless-NGX MCP server?
Paperless-NGX is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server profile on explainx.ai. MCP lets AI hosts (e.g. Claude Desktop, Cursor) call tools and resources through a standard interface; this page summarizes categories, install hints, and community ratings.
How do MCP servers relate to agent skills?
Skills are reusable instruction packages (often SKILL.md); MCP servers expose live capabilities. Teams frequently combine both—skills for workflows, MCP for APIs and data. See explainx.ai/skills and explainx.ai/mcp-servers for parallel directories.
How are reviews shown for Paperless-NGX?
This profile displays 50 aggregated ratings (sample rows for discoverability plus signed-in user reviews). Average score is about 4.4 out of 5—verify behavior in your own environment before production use.

Use Cases

Extended AI Capabilities

Add new capabilities to Claude beyond text generation

Example

Access external data sources, execute code, interact with tools and services

Transform Claude from chatbot to action-taking agent

Context Enhancement

Provide Claude with access to relevant context and data

Example

Load project documentation, access knowledge bases, query databases

Get more accurate, context-aware responses

Workflow Automation

Automate multi-step workflows combining AI and external tools

Example

Research → Summarize → Create document → Send notification

Complete complex tasks end-to-end without manual steps

Implementation Guide

Prerequisites

  • Claude Desktop 0.7.0+ or Cursor IDE with MCP support
  • Basic understanding of MCP architecture and capabilities
  • Access credentials for integrated services (if required)
  • Willingness to experiment and iterate on configuration

Time Estimate

15-60 minutes depending on server complexity

Installation Steps

  1. 1.Install MCP server: npm install -g [package-name] or via GitHub
  2. 2.Add server configuration to ~/.claude/mcp.json
  3. 3.Provide required credentials and configuration
  4. 4.Restart Claude Desktop to load new server
  5. 5.Test basic functionality with simple prompts
  6. 6.Explore capabilities and experiment with use cases
  7. 7.Document successful patterns for reuse

Troubleshooting

  • MCP server not loading: Check config syntax, verify installation
  • Connection errors: Check network, firewall, credentials
  • Feature not working: Read server docs, check required parameters
  • Performance issues: Monitor resource usage, check for network latency
  • Conflicts with other servers: Check port assignments, namespace collisions

Best Practices

✓ Do

  • +Read server documentation thoroughly before setup
  • +Start with simple use cases to validate functionality
  • +Test in non-production environment first
  • +Monitor resource usage and performance
  • +Keep servers updated for bug fixes and new features
  • +Document configuration for team members
  • +Use environment variables for sensitive configuration

✗ Don't

  • Don't grant overly permissive access to MCP servers
  • Don't skip reading security considerations in docs
  • Don't expose sensitive data without proper controls
  • Don't run untrusted MCP servers without code review
  • Don't ignore error messages—investigate root cause

💡 Pro Tips

  • Combine multiple MCP servers for powerful workflows
  • Create custom MCP servers for your specific needs
  • Share successful configurations with team
  • Use MCP inspector for debugging
  • Join MCP community for tips and troubleshooting

Technical Details

Architecture

Model Context Protocol standardizes how AI hosts (Claude, Cursor) communicate with external tools and data sources through server implementations.

Protocols

  • Model Context Protocol (MCP)
  • JSON-RPC 2.0
  • stdio or HTTP transport

Compatibility

  • Claude Desktop
  • Cursor IDE
  • Custom MCP clients

When to Use This

✓ Use When

Use when you need Claude to access external data, execute actions, or integrate with tools. Best for extending AI capabilities beyond conversation.

✗ Avoid When

Avoid when native integrations exist (use official APIs directly), for real-time critical systems, or when security/compliance requires zero external dependencies.

Integration

  • Tool composition: Chain multiple MCP tools in workflows
  • Context augmentation: Provide AI with relevant external data
  • Action delegation: Let AI execute tasks on external systems
  • Bidirectional sync: Keep AI context and external systems in sync

Discussion

Product Hunt–style comments (not star reviews)
  • No comments yet — start the thread.

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Ratings

4.450 reviews
  • Dhruvi Jain· Dec 20, 2024

    Paperless-NGX is among the better-indexed MCP projects we tried; the explainx.ai summary tracks the official description.

  • Benjamin Mensah· Dec 20, 2024

    Strong directory entry: Paperless-NGX surfaces stars and publisher context so we could sanity-check maintenance before adopting.

  • Alexander Garcia· Dec 20, 2024

    Paperless-NGX has been reliable for tool-calling workflows; the MCP profile page is a good permalink for internal docs.

  • Chen Jain· Dec 16, 2024

    We wired Paperless-NGX into a staging workspace; the listing’s GitHub and npm pointers saved time versus hunting across READMEs.

  • Ava Torres· Nov 15, 2024

    I recommend Paperless-NGX for teams standardizing on MCP; the explainx.ai page compares cleanly with sibling servers.

  • Oshnikdeep· Nov 11, 2024

    Paperless-NGX is a well-scoped MCP server in the explainx.ai directory — install snippets and categories matched our Claude Code setup.

  • Li Ramirez· Nov 11, 2024

    We wired Paperless-NGX into a staging workspace; the listing’s GitHub and npm pointers saved time versus hunting across READMEs.

  • Kabir Gonzalez· Nov 11, 2024

    According to our notes, Paperless-NGX benefits from clear Model Context Protocol framing — fewer ambiguous “AI plugin” claims.

  • Li Rahman· Nov 7, 2024

    Strong directory entry: Paperless-NGX surfaces stars and publisher context so we could sanity-check maintenance before adopting.

  • Rahul Santra· Nov 3, 2024

    We evaluated Paperless-NGX against two servers with overlapping tools; this profile had the clearer scope statement.

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