Japanese Vocabulary Anki

This MCP server enables you to manage Anki decks programmatically through a standardized interface, with specialized support for Japanese vocabulary. You can list decks, view and add cards, review with spaced repetition, and enrich vocabulary cards with readings and sample sentences while tracking your progress from a unified endpoint.

How to use

You interact with the server using an MCP client to perform deck and card operations, including importing Japanese vocabulary and attaching contextual sentences to notes. Use the available actions to list decks, inspect cards, add new entries, review cards, and retrieve review history. For Japanese vocabulary, you can import vocab from a CSV and then populate reading-based notes with example sentences to deepen understanding.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before running the server:

• Python 3.8+ is required
• Anki should be closed when the server starts to avoid database locks
• Access to the Anki collection path is optional but recommended for direct operation

# Start by ensuring Python is available
python3 --version

# Run the MCP server directly using Python
python -m anki_mcp.server

# If you want to point to your Anki collection (optional)
export ANKI_COLLECTION_PATH="/path/to/your/collection.anki2"

Additional sections

Configuration and usage details are provided here to help you set up and run the server smoothly, including how to pass environment variables, start commands, and available endpoints for deck and card operations.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jap_vocab_anki": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "name": "jap_vocab_anki",
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "anki_mcp.server"],
      "env": [
        {"name": "ANKI_COLLECTION_PATH", "value": "YOUR_PATH"}
      ]
    }
  },
  "envVars": [
    {"name": "ANKI_COLLECTION_PATH", "description": "Optional path to your Anki collection file", "example": "/path/to/your/collection.anki2"}
  ]
}

Notes on usage and endpoints

You can list available decks, view cards in a deck, add new cards, and review cards with spaced repetition. For Japanese vocabulary, import from CSV files and attach sample sentences to the reading field of each card to provide contextual usage.

Security and best practices

Run the server on a trusted machine and keep the Anki collection secure. When using environment variables to point to sensitive resources, avoid exposing file paths or tokens in shared environments.

Available tools

add_card

Add a new card to a specified deck with front and back content.

review_card

Review a card by providing its ID and the desired ease level to shape spaced repetition learning.

get_card_history

Retrieve detailed review history for a particular card to analyze learning progress.

import_japanese_vocab

Import Japanese vocabulary entries from a CSV into a specified deck, enabling structured fields for expression, reading, and meaning.

update_notes_with_sentences

Append sample sentences to vocabulary notes to provide contextual usage in readings.

get_deck_review_history

Fetch review history for all cards in a deck over a defined recent period.