MCP Server Learning
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed to help with learning and educational tasks. Includes flashcard generation, Zotero integration, Obsidian connectivity, and mathematical verification tools.
Features
Flashcard Server
The flashcard server provides tools for creating, managing, and exporting flashcards in various formats:
- Multiple Card Types: Support for front-back cards, cloze deletion cards, and diagram cards
- LaTeX Support: Generate LaTeX-formatted flashcards with mathematical notation support
- Anki Integration: Direct upload to Anki using AnkiConnect addon
- HTML Preview: Generate beautiful HTML previews of your flashcards
- Diagram Support: Handle ASCII art, TikZ diagrams, and flowcharts
Mathematical Verification Server
A comprehensive server for verifying mathematical expressions and proofs:
- LaTeX Input: Native support for LaTeX mathematical notation
- Multi-Step Proof Verification: Verify complete proofs step-by-step
- Calculus Support: Derivatives, integrals, limits, and series
- Linear Algebra: Matrix operations and vector spaces
- Expression Simplification: Automatically simplify complex expressions with step-by-step explanations
- Identity Checking: Verify mathematical identities (Pythagorean, trigonometric, etc.)
Installation
This project uses uv for dependency management.
# Clone the repository
git clone <repository-url>
cd mcp-server-learning
# Install dependencies
uv sync
# Install in development mode
uv pip install -e .
Usage
Running the Servers
FastMCP entrypoints are provided for each server:
# Flashcards / Anki
uv run fastmcp-flashcard-server
# Zotero
export ZOTERO_API_KEY=... \
ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=... \
ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=user # or group
uv run fastmcp-zotero-server
# Obsidian
export OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH="/path/to/your/Obsidian/Vault"
uv run fastmcp-obsidian-server
# Mathematical Verification
uv run fastmcp-math-server
Available Tools
create_flashcards
Convert text content into LaTeX flashcards.
Parameters:
content(required): Text content to convertcard_type: "front-back" or "cloze" (default: "front-back")title: Title for the deck (default: "Flashcards")full_document: Whether to return complete LaTeX document (default: true)
Example input formats:
Q: What is the capital of France?
A: Paris
---
What is 2 + 2?
4
For cloze cards:
The capital of {{France}} is {{Paris}}.
create_single_card
Create a single flashcard.
Parameters:
- For front-back cards:
front,back - For cloze cards:
cloze_text card_type: "front-back" or "cloze"
create_diagram_card
Create a flashcard with a diagram.
Parameters:
diagram: The diagram contentexplanation: Explanation of the diagramdiagram_type: "ascii", "tikz", or "flowchart"
upload_to_anki
Upload flashcards directly to Anki.
Parameters:
content: Content to convert and uploadcard_type: Type of cards to createdeck_name: Anki deck name (default: "MCP Generated Cards")tags: Array of tags to addanki_api_key: Optional API key for AnkiConnect
check_anki_connection
Check connection to Anki and list available decks/models.
preview_cards
Generate HTML preview of flashcards.
Parameters:
content: Content to previewcard_type: Type of cardstitle: Preview titletags: Tags to display
Zotero Integration Tools
connect_zotero
Connect to your Zotero library using Web API or local database.
Parameters:
api_key: Zotero Web API key (optional for local access)user_id: Your Zotero user ID for personal librarygroup_id: Zotero group ID for group librarylocal_profile_path: Path to local Zotero profile (optional)prefer_local: Whether to prefer local database over Web API
search_zotero
Search items in your connected Zotero library.
Parameters:
query: Search termslimit: Maximum number of results (default: 20)
get_zotero_collections
List all collections in your Zotero library.
create_flashcards_from_zotero
Generate flashcards from Zotero items or collections.
Parameters:
item_keys: Specific Zotero item keys to usecollection_id: Collection ID to generate cards fromcard_types: Types of cards to create (citation,summary,definition)citation_style: Citation format (apa)
Zotero MCP Server
A FastMCP server for interacting with Zotero libraries using the pyzotero package.
Available Tools
search_zotero_items
Search for items in your Zotero library.
Parameters:
query(required): Search termslimit: Maximum results (default: 50)item_type: Filter by type (e.g., 'book', 'journalArticle')
get_zotero_item
Get detailed information about a specific item.
Parameters:
item_key(required): The Zotero item key
get_item_notes
Get all notes associated with an item.
Parameters:
item_key(required): The Zotero item key
list_zotero_collections
List all collections in the library.
get_collection_items
Get items from a specific collection.
Parameters:
collection_key(required): The collection keylimit: Maximum results (default: 50)
create_zotero_item
Create a new item in the library.
Parameters:
item_type(required): Type of item ('book', 'journalArticle', etc.)title(required): Item titlecreators: Array of creator objectsdate: Publication dateurl: Item URLabstract: Abstract/summarytags: Array of tag stringsextra_fields: Additional type-specific fields
create_item_note
Add a note to an existing item.
Parameters:
parent_item_key(required): Key of the parent itemnote_content(required): HTML-formatted note content
add_item_to_collection
Add an item to a collection.
Parameters:
item_key(required): The item keycollection_key(required): The collection key
get_item_templates
Get templates for creating different item types.
Obsidian MCP Server
A FastMCP server for interacting with Obsidian vaults and markdown notes.
Available Tools
get_vault_stats
Get comprehensive statistics about your Obsidian vault.
list_vault_notes
List all notes in the vault with optional pagination.
Parameters:
limit: Maximum number of notes to returnoffset: Number of notes to skip (for pagination)refresh_cache: Whether to refresh the note cache
search_obsidian_notes
Search for notes by content, title, or tags.
Parameters:
query(required): Search termssearch_in: Fields to search in (content, title, tags)limit: Maximum number of results
get_obsidian_note
Get detailed information about a specific note.
Parameters:
note_name(required): Name of the note (without .md extension)
get_notes_by_tag
Get all notes that have a specific tag.
Parameters:
tag(required): Tag to search for
get_note_backlinks
Find all notes that link to a specific note.
Parameters:
note_name(required): Name of the note to find backlinks for
get_orphaned_notes
Find notes that have no incoming or outgoing links.
get_note_links
Get all wikilinks from a specific note.
Parameters:
note_name(required): Name of the note to get links from
extract_note_headers
Extract structured headers from a note.
Parameters:
note_name(required): Name of the note to extract headers from
extract_note_blocks
Extract content blocks (paragraphs, lists, quotes, code) from a note.
Parameters:
note_name(required): Name of the note to extract blocks fromblock_types: Types of blocks to extract (paragraph, list, quote, code, header)
get_notes_for_flashcards
Extract content from notes that is suitable for flashcard generation.
Parameters:
note_names: Names of specific notes to processtag_filter: Only process notes with this tagcontent_types: Types of content to extract (headers, definitions, lists, quotes)
Obsidian Integration Tools
connect_obsidian
Connect to an Obsidian vault.
Parameters:
vault_path: Path to your Obsidian vault directory
search_obsidian
Search notes in your connected Obsidian vault.
Parameters:
query: Search termssearch_in: Fields to search (content,title,tags)limit: Maximum number of results (default: 20)
get_obsidian_vault_stats
Get statistics about your Obsidian vault (note count, tags, etc.).
create_flashcards_from_obsidian
Generate flashcards from Obsidian notes.
Parameters:
note_names: Specific note names to processtag_filter: Only process notes with this tagcontent_types: Types of content to extract (headers,definitions,lists,quotes)card_type: Type of flashcards to generate (front-back,cloze)
Mathematical Verification MCP Server
A FastMCP server for verifying mathematical expressions and multi-step proofs using SymPy. Focused on calculus, analysis, and linear algebra with LaTeX input support.
Available Tools
verify_step
Verify a single mathematical step with proper justification.
Parameters:
expression(required): Mathematical expression in LaTeX format (e.g.,\frac{d}{dx}(x^2))expected_result(required): Expected result in LaTeX format (e.g.,2x)assumptions: Optional list of assumptions (e.g.,["x is real"])operation: Type of operation -"equality","derivative","integral", or"limit"
Examples:
verify_step("x^2 + 2x + 1", "(x+1)^2", operation="equality")
verify_step("x^2", "2x", operation="derivative")
verify_proof
Verify a multi-step mathematical proof.
Parameters:
steps(required): List of proof steps. Each step should contain:expression: The mathematical expression (LaTeX)justification: Reason for this stepresult(optional): Expected result after this step
assumptions: Optional list of assumptions about variables
Example:
steps = [
{
"expression": r"\int x dx",
"result": r"\frac{x^2}{2} + C",
"justification": "Power rule for integration"
},
{
"expression": r"\frac{d}{dx}(\frac{x^2}{2} + C)",
"result": "x",
"justification": "Differentiate with respect to x"
}
]
simplify_expression
Simplify a mathematical expression and optionally show steps.
Parameters:
expression(required): Mathematical expression in LaTeX formatshow_steps: Whether to show intermediate simplification steps (default:true)
Example:
simplify_expression(r"\frac{x^2 - 1}{x - 1}", show_steps=True)
verify_equivalence
Verify if two mathematical expressions are equivalent.
Parameters:
expr1(required): First expression in LaTeX formatexpr2(required): Second expression in LaTeX formatassumptions: Optional list of assumptions about variables
Example:
verify_equivalence("x^2 - 1", "(x-1)(x+1)")
check_identity
Check if a mathematical identity holds.
Parameters:
identity_expr(required): Identity to check (e.g.,sin(x)^2 + cos(x)^2 - 1)variable: Variable in the identity (default:'x')test_values: Optional list of specific values to test
Example:
check_identity(r"\sin^2(x) + \cos^2(x) - 1", variable="x")
verify_derivative
Verify a derivative calculation.
Parameters:
expression(required): Expression to differentiate (LaTeX format)variable(required): Variable to differentiate with respect toexpected_derivative(required): Expected derivative result (LaTeX format)
Example:
verify_derivative(r"\sin(x) \cos(x)", "x", r"\cos^2(x) - \sin^2(x)")
verify_integral
Verify an integral calculation.
Parameters:
expression(required): Expression to integrate (LaTeX format)variable(required): Variable to integrate with respect toexpected_integral(required): Expected integral result (LaTeX format)is_definite: Whether this is a definite integral (default:false)lower_limit: Lower limit for definite integral (LaTeX format or number)upper_limit: Upper limit for definite integral (LaTeX format or number)
Examples:
verify_integral("x", "x", r"\frac{x^2}{2} + C", is_definite=False)
verify_integral("x", "x", r"\frac{1}{2}", is_definite=True, lower_limit="0", upper_limit="1")
LaTeX Input Format
The server accepts standard LaTeX mathematical notation:
- Inline math:
x^2,\frac{1}{2},\sin(x) - Functions:
\sin(x),\cos(x),\ln(x),\exp(x) - Fractions:
\frac{numerator}{denominator} - Powers:
x^2,e^{x} - Greek letters:
\alpha,\beta,\pi - Special symbols:
\cdot(multiplication),\int(integral),\frac{d}{dx}(derivative)
Integration Setup
Anki Integration
To use Anki integration:
- Install the AnkiConnect addon in Anki
- Start Anki with the addon enabled
- Use the
upload_to_ankiorcheck_anki_connectiontools
Zotero Integration
To use Zotero integration:
Option 1: Local Database (Recommended)
- Install Zotero desktop application
- Use
connect_zoterotool with local access - No additional setup required
Option 2: Web API
- Get your Zotero API key from zotero.org/settings/keys
- Find your user ID from your Zotero profile URL
- Use
connect_zoterotool with API credentials
Obsidian Integration
To use Obsidian integration:
- Locate your Obsidian vault directory
- Use
connect_obsidiantool with the vault path - The connector will scan and index your notes automatically
Development
Running Tests
uv run pytest
Code Formatting
uv run black src/
uv run isort src/
Type Checking
uv run mypy src/
Configuration with Claude Desktop
Flashcard Server
Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"learning": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "fastmcp-flashcard-server"],
"cwd": "/path/to/mcp-server-learning"
}
}
}
Zotero Server
Configure the Zotero FastMCP server:
{
"mcpServers": {
"zotero": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "fastmcp-zotero-server"],
"cwd": "/path/to/mcp-server-learning",
"env": {
"ZOTERO_API_KEY": "your-zotero-api-key",
"ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID": "your-library-id",
"ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE": "user"
}
}
}
}
Obsidian Server
Configure the Obsidian FastMCP server:
{
"mcpServers": {
"obsidian": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "fastmcp-obsidian-server"],
"cwd": "/path/to/mcp-server-learning",
"env": {
"OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH": "/absolute/path/to/your/Obsidian/Vault"
}
}
}
}
Zotero Environment Variables
You need to set these environment variables for the Zotero server:
- ZOTERO_API_KEY: Your Zotero Web API key (get from zotero.org/settings/keys)
- ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID: Your Zotero library ID
- For personal library: Your user ID (find in your Zotero profile URL)
- For group library: The group ID
- ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE: Either "user" for personal library or "group" for group library
Getting Your Zotero Credentials
- API Key: Go to zotero.org/settings/keys and create a new private key
- User ID: Go to zotero.org/settings/keys - your user ID is shown at the top
- Group ID: For group libraries, the ID is in the group's URL on zotero.org
Obsidian Server
For the standalone Obsidian server, add this to your Claude Desktop configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"obsidian": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "obsidian-mcp-server"],
"cwd": "/path/to/mcp-server-learning",
"env": {
"OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH": "/path/to/your/obsidian/vault"
}
}
}
}
Obsidian Environment Variable
You need to set this environment variable for the Obsidian server:
- OBSIDIAN_VAULT_PATH: Full path to your Obsidian vault directory (the folder containing your .md files and .obsidian folder)
Mathematical Verification Server
Configure the math verification server in Claude Desktop:
{
"mcpServers": {
"math-verification": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "fastmcp-math-server"],
"cwd": "/path/to/mcp-server-learning"
}
}
}
This server requires no environment variables - it's ready to use immediately after installation.
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit pull requests or open issues for bugs and feature requests.
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Usage Examples
Basic Flashcard Creation
# Create flashcards from text
create_flashcards(content="Q: What is Python? A: A programming language", card_type="front-back")
# Create cloze deletion cards
create_flashcards(content="Python is a {{programming language}} used for {{web development}}.", card_type="cloze")
Future Features
- Advanced citation styles (MLA, Chicago, IEEE)
- Batch processing for large collections
- Spaced repetition scheduling integration
- Cross-reference detection between Zotero and Obsidian
- Support for multimedia flashcards
- Export to other flashcard platforms
- Collaborative learning features