MCP Kanban Task Management

You can run and use the MCP Kanban Task Management server to track AI-driven project work in a kanban board. It provides column capacity, a built-in SQLite database, a web UI for monitoring and manual edits, and predefined prompts to start or resume workflows.

How to use

You interact with the Kanban MCP server through your MCP client. Start a new project by creating a kanban board, then add tasks to plan work. As you progress, move tasks between columns while respecting the board’s work-in-progress limits. Use the web UI to observe progress and, if needed, adjust tasks manually. When continuing a project in a new session, locate the board and resume work on the next high-priority task.

How to install

Prerequisites: you need Node.js and npm installed on your system. You may also install Docker if you want to run the server in a container.

Clone the repository that contains the Kanban MCP server and its web components, then install dependencies and build the project.

npm ci --prefix shared/db
npm ci --prefix mcp-server
npm run build --prefix shared/db
npm run build --prefix mcp-server

Add the MCP server configuration to your client

"mcpServers": {
  "kanban-mcp": {
    "command": "node",
    "args": [
      "/path/to/repo/mcp-server/dist/server.js"
    ],
    "env": {
      "MCP_KANBAN_DB_FOLDER_PATH": "/path/to/db"
    }
  }
}

Using Docker to run the server

If you prefer Docker, build the image and run the server with a mounted database folder.

docker build -t mcp/mcp-kanban .

"mcpServers": {
  "kanban-mcp": {
    "command": "docker",
    "args": [
      "run",
      "--rm",
      "-i",
      "-v",
      "/path/to/db:/mcp",
      "mcp/mcp-kanban"
    ]
  }
}

Using the web UI

To use the web UI, build the web UI and server components, then start the web server with the database path and open the UI in your browser.

npm ci --prefix shared/db
npm run build --prefix shared/db

npm ci --prefix web-ui
npm ci --prefix web-server
npm run build --prefix web-ui
npm run build --prefix web-server

MCP_KANBAN_DB_FOLDER_PATH=/path/to/db npm run start --prefix web-server

Open http://localhost:8221 in your browser.

## Notes and tips

- The board enforces column capacities and WIP limits to help you focus on the most important tasks. - The embedded SQLite database stores boards and tasks locally. - Use predefined prompts to start or resume a workflow by creating or picking a kanban board.

## Available tools

### create-kanban-board

Create a new kanban board to plan and keep track of your tasks.

### add-task-to-board

Add a new task to the landing column (to-do) of a kanban board.

### move-task

Move a task between columns while respecting work-in-progress limits.

### delete-task

Delete a task from a board.

### get-board-info

Retrieve full details of a board including its columns and tasks.

### get-task-info

Retrieve full details of a specific task including content.

### list-boards

List all kanban boards with names, creation times, and goals.

### create-kanban-based-project

Create a kanban board for a project by asking questions to split the project into tasks and populate the board.

### make-progress-on-a-project

Make progress on an existing project by locating its board and selecting the next task to work on.