Canto
Tulip
opsty
subtankOther apps (MCP)
On this page 6 sections
Canto can act as an MCP server: other apps that speak the Model Context Protocol (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code, Claude Code and many more) can search and read your notes through it. Reading is free on every plan; creating and changing notes from another app is part of Pro.
This is off until you turn it on. Once it's on, what an app does with your notes is up to that app: an assistant that runs in the cloud sends what it reads to its own servers, under its own terms.
Turn it on#
Open Settings › Connections › Other apps and switch on Let other apps use Canto. The status line says where it runs, for example "Running on this Mac · port 52452".
- Allow from: This Mac only (the default, and the safest choice) or Local network. With Local network, devices on the same network that have the access key can read and change your notes; use it only on networks you trust. Canto then shows the addresses it can be reached at.
- Access key: every app needs it, apps on your Mac too. Canto makes one for you; Copy it, or New key… to replace it (apps set up with the old key stop connecting until you set them up again).
Apps reach Canto only while Canto is open. Its tools run in Canto itself, so they work while its window is closed.
Connect an app#
Set up an app… opens a sheet: choose the app, then copy what it needs. Canto's address and access key are already filled in. Depending on the app, the sheet asks how it connects (a bridge or the app's own settings), which system the app runs on, and, with Local network on, which address to use.
The sheet knows Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Cherry Studio, LibreChat, Witsy, 5ire, Tome, Cursor, VS Code (Copilot), Claude Code, Codex CLI, Cline, Roo Code, Kilo Code, Windsurf, Zed, Continue, Goose, OpenCode, OpenWork and OpenClaw. For anything else, choose Another app (bridge).
What apps can do#
| Apps can | Plan |
|---|---|
| Search and read notes, follow links, read folders and tags | Free and Pro |
| Look up your past chats, by the same rules as a chat in Canto | Free and Pro |
| Create and edit notes, organise folders and tags, add attachments | Pro |
On Free, Changing notes from other apps has three free tries on each Mac, and each try gives connected apps a day of write access from their first change. With Pro, writes are always on.
Past chats. With Settings › Memory & privacy › What Canto remembers › Same rules for other apps on (the default), apps see past chats only as a chat in Canto would: chats you kept out of recall stay out. See What Canto remembers.
Details#
Under Details at the end of the page:
- Port: between 1024 and 65535. Apps include it in Canto's address. The default is 52452.
- App activity: most apps connect once per request (Streamable HTTP), so nothing stays connected between calls. Older apps using SSE keep a session open.
- Address: Canto's MCP address,
http://127.0.0.1:<port>/mcp, with Copy. Apps that only start local (stdio) servers use themcp-remotebridge instead. - Vault tools: always on.
Upgrading from 0.10#
- Apps need their setup again. Since 1.0, Canto always asks for its access key, also from apps on your Mac. Copy the setup for each app again from Set up an app….
- Automation is gone. The tools that let a connected app take screenshots, click and control Canto's window (
canto_invoke) were removed in 1.0. The vault tools work as before.
What leaves your Mac#
Nothing, until an app you set up asks. Then the notes it asked for go to that app; where they go from there depends on the app. Turning Let other apps use Canto off, or Other apps (MCP) in Settings › Memory & privacy › What leaves this Mac, closes the door at once. See What leaves this Mac.