Notion MCP Server for Claude Desktop: Setup & Config

What you can do with Notion in Claude Desktop

Choose it for local Notion API access with scoped integrations and Markdown page tools.

• Query Notion data sources with filters and sorting.
• Read page content as Markdown for an AI workflow.

Before you start: Notion in Claude Desktop

• A Notion internal integration
• Access granted to the relevant pages or databases
• An MCP-compatible client
• npx for the npm launch method

This configuration launches the local stdio server. HTTP and Docker alternatives are documented. Notion prioritizes support for its separate remote service.

Notion Claude Desktop configuration

1. Choose Claude Desktop configuration scope

   For Notion MCP Server, open macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json. Merge under mcpServers via Settings → Developer → Edit Config when available.

2. Add Notion MCP Server to Claude Desktop

   Use the notion-mcp-server entry below in mcpServers. Keep Notion MCP Server's documented stdio connection fields and your other Claude Desktop entries.

3. Check Notion MCP Server in Claude Desktop

   Notion MCP Server: Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop; check developer diagnostics.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "notion-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@notionhq/notion-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "NOTION_TOKEN": "<Notion internal integration token>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Notion tools available to Claude Desktop

Notion's stored tool list documents 9 tools; compare it with Claude Desktop's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

query-data-source

When Claude Desktop requests query-data-source from Notion, review the action before approving it.

Search a data source using filters and sort rules.

retrieve-a-data-source

When Claude Desktop requests retrieve-a-data-source from Notion, review the action before approving it.

Read a data source schema and metadata.

update-a-data-source

When Claude Desktop requests update-a-data-source from Notion, review the action before approving it.

Change properties belonging to a data source.

create-a-data-source

When Claude Desktop requests create-a-data-source from Notion, review the action before approving it.

Add a new data source.

list-data-source-templates

When Claude Desktop requests list-data-source-templates from Notion, review the action before approving it.

Find templates available within a data source.

move-page

When Claude Desktop requests move-page from Notion, review the action before approving it.

retrieve-a-database

When Claude Desktop requests retrieve-a-database from Notion, review the action before approving it.

retrieve-page-markdown

When Claude Desktop requests retrieve-page-markdown from Notion, review the action before approving it.

update-page-markdown

When Claude Desktop requests update-page-markdown from Notion, review the action before approving it.

Notion: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting Notion in Claude Desktop

• Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop for Notion MCP Server. If npx @notionhq/notion-mcp-server (Node.js/npm) is missing, check the desktop process's PATH, which may differ from your terminal.
• In Claude Desktop's Notion MCP Server entry, check NOTION_TOKEN. Keep secrets out of shared screenshots and repositories.
• Notion MCP Server uses stdio here: Claude Desktop must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: The local repository no longer receives active issue and pull request monitoring.
• Known limitation: Upgrading can require changes to hardcoded database tool names.
• General Claude Desktop troubleshooting lives in the /clients/claude-desktop guide.

Frequently asked questions