Outline MCP Server

Searches for documents using keywords or phrases across your knowledge base. IMPORTANT: The search performs full-text search across all document content and titles. Results are ranked by relevance, with exact matches and title matches typically ranked higher. The search will return snippets of content (context) where the search terms appear in the document. You can limit the search to a specific collection by providing the collection_id. PAGINATION: By default, returns up to 25 results at a time. If more results exist, use the 'offset' parameter to fetch additional pages. For example, use offset=25 to get results 26-50, offset=50 for 51-75, etc. STATUS FILTER: By default, searches published documents only. Pass status_filter to include other document states. Allowed values are "draft", "archived", and "published". Use this tool when you need to: - Find documents containing specific terms or topics - Locate information across multiple documents - Search within a specific collection using collection_id - Discover content based on keywords - Browse through large result sets using limit and offset Args: query: Search terms (e.g., "vacation policy" or "project plan") collection_id: Optional collection to limit the search to limit: Maximum results to return (default: 25, max: 100) offset: Number of results to skip for pagination (default: 0) status_filter: Optional list of statuses to search. Allowed values are "draft", "archived", and "published". Defaults to ["published"] when omitted. Returns: Formatted string containing search results with document titles, contexts, and pagination information

Retrieves and displays all available collections in the workspace. Use this tool when you need to: - See what collections exist in the workspace - Get collection IDs for other operations - Explore the organization of the knowledge base - Find a specific collection by name Args: limit: Maximum number of results to return offset: Number of results to skip (pagination) Returns: Formatted string containing collection names, IDs, and descriptions If the response contains as many collections as the limit, execute the tool again with an increased offset to check for more results.

Retrieves the hierarchical document structure of a collection. Use this tool when you need to: - Understand how documents are organized in a collection - Find document IDs within a specific collection - See the parent-child relationships between documents - Get an overview of a collection's content structure Args: collection_id: The collection ID to examine Returns: Formatted string showing the hierarchical structure of documents

Locates a document ID by searching for its title. IMPORTANT: This tool first checks for exact title matches (case-insensitive). If none are found, it returns the best partial match instead. This is useful when you're not sure of the exact title but need to reference a document in other operations. Results are more accurate when you provide more of the actual title in your query. Use this tool when you need to: - Find a document's ID when you only know its title - Get the document ID for use in other operations - Verify if a document with a specific title exists - Find the best matching document if exact title is unknown Args: query: Title to search for (can be exact or partial) collection_id: Optional collection to limit the search to Returns: Document ID if found, or best match information

Lists documents ordered by most recent change (newest first). Answers questions like "what changed this week" without needing search keywords. Backed by Outline's search endpoint with an empty query, sorted by last-modified time. IMPORTANT: date_filter is a coarse server-side window on each document's last-modified time. It accepts only "day", "week", "month", or "year" (no arbitrary timestamps) and defaults to "week". Results are ordered newest-changed first. STATUS FILTER: By default this lists published documents only. Pass status_filter to include other states. Allowed values are "draft", "archived", and "published". Drafts only ever include those you are allowed to see. PAGINATION: Returns up to limit documents (default 25). Use offset to page through older changes. Use this tool when you need to: - Answer "what documents changed recently / this week" - Review recent activity, optionally within one collection - Catch up on edits since you last looked Args: date_filter: Time window on last-modified time. One of "day", "week", "month", "year". Defaults to "week". collection_id: Optional collection to limit results to status_filter: Optional list of statuses to include. Allowed values are "draft", "archived", and "published". Defaults to published only. limit: Maximum number of documents to return (default: 25) offset: Number of documents to skip for pagination (default: 0) Returns: Formatted string listing documents with their IDs and last-updated timestamps, newest first

Retrieves and displays document content, optionally paginated by line range. Use this tool when you need to: - Access the complete content of a specific document - Read a specific range of lines from a large document - Review document information in detail - Quote or reference document content When offset or limit are set, output includes line numbers and a metadata header showing the range. When both are 0 (default), the full document is returned in the original format for backward compatibility. Args: document_id: The document ID to retrieve offset: 0-based line number to start from; must be non-negative (default: 0) limit: Number of lines to return; 0 means all lines; must be non-negative (default: 0) Returns: Formatted string containing the document title and content

Exports a document as plain markdown text. Use this tool when you need to: - Get clean markdown content without formatting - Extract document content for external use - Process document content in another application - Share document content outside Outline Args: document_id: The document ID to export Returns: Document content in markdown format without additional formatting

Returns the heading structure of a document as a table of contents with line numbers. Use this tool when you need to: - Understand the structure of a large document - Find specific sections before reading them - Navigate a document by its headings Line numbers in the output can be used with read_document(offset=...) or read_document_section(heading=...) to read specific parts. Args: document_id: The document ID Returns: Formatted table of contents with line numbers

Reads a specific section of a document identified by heading match. Uses case-insensitive substring matching against headings. Returns the section content from the matched heading up to the next heading of the same or higher level, including all nested subsections. Use this tool when you need to: - Read a specific part of a large document - Focus on one section without loading everything - Navigate by heading name instead of line numbers Args: document_id: The document ID heading: Case-insensitive substring to match against headings (e.g. "arch" matches "## Architecture") Returns: Section content with line numbers

Searches within a document for lines containing a text snippet (grep-style), returning matches with line numbers and surrounding context. Use this tool when you need to: - Locate specific text in a large document without reading it in full - Find the exact text and line number to build edit_document old_string values or read_document offsets Matching is case-insensitive per line. Line numbers are 0-based and valid as read_document offsets. Args: document_id: The document ID to search query: Text snippet to find (case-insensitive) context_lines: Lines of context around each match (default: 2, must be non-negative) Returns: Matching lines with line numbers and context

Resolve an attachment ID to a downloadable URL. Calls attachments.redirect and returns the final URL after the redirect. Allows clients/agents to fetch the file themselves. Use this tool when you need to: - Get a direct URL to download an attachment - Share or reference an attachment URL - Let another system fetch the file Args: attachment_id: The attachment UUID Returns: The redirect URL (signed download URL)

Fetch attachment content and return it as base64. Calls attachments.redirect, follows the redirect, and returns the raw file content encoded as base64. Useful for images and files that agents can process. Use this tool when you need to: - Read PDF content from Outline documents - Process embedded images - Analyze files referenced in documents - Enable AI tools to work with all document content Args: attachment_id: The attachment UUID Returns: Multi-line string in this format (blank line after Content-Length / before Content-Base64): Content-Type: <mime-type> Content-Length: <bytes> Content-Base64: <base64-encoded-data> Note: For large files (e.g. multi-MB PDFs), the base64 output may hit token limits. Prefer get_attachment_url to obtain a download URL for large attachments, then fetch externally.

List attachment IDs referenced in a document. Parses document content for attachment references (e.g. /api/attachments.redirect?id=<uuid>) and returns a list of attachment IDs with context snippets. Use this tool when you need to: - Discover attachments within a document - Find attachment IDs for use with get_attachment_url or fetch_attachment - Audit what files a document references Args: document_id: The document ID to scan Returns: Formatted list of attachment IDs and context

Retrieves comments on a specific document with pagination support. IMPORTANT: By default, this returns up to 25 comments at a time. If there are more than 25 comments on the document, you'll need to make multiple calls with different offset values to get all comments. The response will indicate if there are more comments available. Use this tool when you need to: - Review feedback and discussions on a document - See all comments from different users - Find specific comments or questions - Track collaboration and input on documents Args: document_id: The document ID to get comments from include_anchor_text: Whether to include the document text that comments refer to limit: Maximum number of comments to return (default: 25) offset: Number of comments to skip for pagination (default: 0) Returns: Formatted string containing comments with author, date, and optional anchor text

Retrieves a specific comment by its ID. Use this tool when you need to: - View details of a specific comment - Reference or quote a particular comment - Check comment content and metadata - Find a comment mentioned elsewhere Args: comment_id: The comment ID to retrieve include_anchor_text: Whether to include the document text that the comment refers to Returns: Formatted string with the comment content and metadata

Finds all documents that link to a specific document. Use this tool when you need to: - Discover references to a document across the workspace - Identify dependencies between documents - Find documents related to a specific document - Understand document relationships and connections Args: document_id: The document ID to find backlinks for Returns: Formatted string listing all documents that link to the specified document

Exports all documents in a collection to a downloadable file. IMPORTANT: This tool starts an asynchronous export operation which may take time to complete. The function returns information about the operation, including its status. When the operation is complete, the file can be downloaded or accessed via Outline's UI. The export preserves the document hierarchy and includes all document content and structure in the specified format. Use this tool when you need to: - Create a backup of collection content - Share collection content outside of Outline - Convert collection content to other formats - Archive collection content for offline use Args: collection_id: The collection ID to export format: Export format ("outline-markdown", "json", or "html") Returns: Information about the export operation and how to access the file

Exports the entire workspace content to a downloadable file. IMPORTANT: This tool starts an asynchronous export operation which may take time to complete, especially for large workspaces. The function returns information about the operation, including its status. When the operation is complete, the file can be downloaded or accessed via Outline's UI. The export includes all collections, documents, and their hierarchies in the specified format. Use this tool when you need to: - Create a complete backup of all workspace content - Migrate content to another system - Archive all workspace documents - Get a comprehensive export of knowledge base Args: format: Export format ("outline-markdown", "json", or "html") Returns: Information about the export operation and how to access the file

Creates a new collection for organizing documents. Use this tool when you need to: - Create a new section or category for documents - Set up a workspace for a new project or team - Organize content by department or topic - Establish a separate space for related documents Args: name: Name for the collection description: Optional description of the collection's purpose color: Optional hex color code for visual identification (e.g. #FF0000) Returns: Result message with the new collection ID

Modifies an existing collection's properties. Use this tool when you need to: - Rename a collection - Update a collection's description - Change a collection's color coding - Refresh collection metadata Args: collection_id: The collection ID to update name: Optional new name for the collection description: Optional new description color: Optional new hex color code (e.g. #FF0000) Returns: Result message confirming update

Permanently removes a collection and all its documents. Use this tool when you need to: - Remove an entire section of content - Delete obsolete project collections - Remove collections that are no longer needed - Clean up workspace organization WARNING: This action cannot be undone and will delete all documents within the collection. Args: collection_id: The collection ID to delete Returns: Result message confirming deletion

Queries document content using natural language questions. Use this tool when you need to: - Find specific information across multiple documents - Get direct answers to questions about document content - Extract insights from your knowledge base - Answer questions like "What is our vacation policy?" - Answer "How do we onboard new clients?" and similar queries Args: question: The natural language question to ask collection_id: Optional collection to limit the search to document_id: Optional document to limit the search to Returns: AI-generated answer based on document content with sources

Creates a new document in a specified collection. Use this tool when you need to: - Add new content to a knowledge base - Create documentation, guides, or notes - Add a child document to an existing parent - Start a new document thread or topic - Create a reusable template document Note: For Mermaid diagrams, use ```mermaidjs (not ```mermaid) as the code fence language identifier for proper rendering. Args: title: The document title collection_id: The collection ID to create in text: Optional markdown content for the document parent_document_id: Optional parent document ID for nesting publish: Whether to publish immediately (True) or save as draft (False) template: If True, creates the document as a template icon: Optional emoji character to use as the document icon (e.g. "📋", "🚀"). If None, no icon is set. Returns: Result message with the new document ID

Modifies an existing document's title or content. IMPORTANT: This tool replaces the document content rather than just adding to it. For partial edits (changing specific text), prefer the edit_document tool instead. Use this tool when you need to: - Replace the entire document content - Change a document's title - Append new content to an existing document - Convert a document to or from a template Note: For Mermaid diagrams, use ```mermaidjs (not ```mermaid) as the code fence language identifier for proper rendering. Args: document_id: The document ID to update title: New title (if None, keeps existing title) text: New content (if None, keeps existing) append: If True, adds text to end of document instead of replacing template: If True, converts to a template. If False, converts a template back to a regular document. icon: Optional emoji character to use as the document icon (e.g. "📋", "🚀"). If None, keeps existing icon. Pass an empty string to remove the icon. Returns: Result message confirming update

Adds a comment to a document or replies to an existing comment. Use this tool when you need to: - Provide feedback on document content - Ask questions about specific information - Reply to another user's comment - Collaborate with others on document development Args: document_id: The document to comment on text: The comment text (supports markdown) parent_comment_id: Optional parent comment ID (for replies) Returns: Result message with the new comment ID

Edits a document using string-match replacement. Each edit finds a unique old_string in the document and replaces it with new_string. Edits are applied server-side — you never need to hold the full document in context. IMPORTANT: Batch all edits for a document into a single call when possible to minimize API calls. Each old_string must uniquely match one location in the document. Include surrounding context if needed to disambiguate. Edits are applied sequentially, so later edits can target text created by earlier edits in the same batch. If any edit fails, no changes are applied (all-or-nothing). By default (save=True), changes are pushed to Outline immediately. Set save=False to stage changes locally for large rewrites spanning multiple calls, then pass save=True on the final call to push all accumulated changes. Args: document_id: The document ID to edit edits: List of edits to apply save: If True (default), push changes to Outline immediately. If False, stage locally. Returns: Summary of edits applied and save status

Archives a document to remove it from active use while preserving it. IMPORTANT: Archived documents are removed from collections but remain searchable in the system. They won't appear in normal collection views but can still be found through search or the archive list. Use this tool when you need to: - Remove outdated or inactive documents from view - Clean up collections while preserving document history - Preserve documents that are no longer relevant - Temporarily hide documents without deleting them Args: document_id: The document ID to archive Returns: Result message confirming archival

Restores a previously archived document to active status. Use this tool when you need to: - Restore archived documents to active use - Access or reference previously archived content - Make archived content visible in collections again - Update and reuse archived documents Args: document_id: The document ID to unarchive Returns: Result message confirming restoration

Moves a document to trash or permanently deletes it. IMPORTANT: When permanent=False (the default), documents are moved to trash and retained for 30 days before being permanently deleted. During this period, they can be restored using the restore_document tool. Setting permanent=True bypasses the trash and immediately deletes the document without any recovery option. Use this tool when you need to: - Remove unwanted or unnecessary documents - Delete obsolete content - Clean up workspace by removing documents - Permanently remove sensitive information (with permanent=True) Args: document_id: The document ID to delete permanent: If True, permanently deletes the document without recovery option Returns: Result message confirming deletion

Recovers a document from the trash back to active status. Use this tool when you need to: - Retrieve accidentally deleted documents - Restore documents from trash to active use - Recover documents deleted within the last 30 days - Access content that was previously trashed Args: document_id: The document ID to restore Returns: Result message confirming restoration

Displays all documents that have been archived. Use this tool when you need to: - Find specific archived documents - Review what documents have been archived - Identify documents for possible unarchiving - Check archive status of workspace content Returns: Formatted string containing list of archived documents

Takes no parameters.

Displays all documents currently in the trash. Use this tool when you need to: - Find deleted documents that can be restored - Review what documents are pending permanent deletion - Identify documents to restore from trash - Verify if specific documents were deleted Returns: Formatted string containing list of documents in trash

Takes no parameters.

Relocates a document to a different collection or parent document. IMPORTANT: When moving a document that has child documents (nested documents), all child documents will move along with it, maintaining their hierarchical structure. You must specify either collection_id or parent_document_id (or both). Use this tool when you need to: - Reorganize your document hierarchy - Move a document to a more relevant collection - Change a document's parent document - Restructure content organization Args: document_id: The document ID to move collection_id: Target collection ID (if moving between collections) parent_document_id: Optional parent document ID (for nesting) Returns: Result message confirming the move operation

Archives multiple documents in a single batch operation. This tool processes each document sequentially, continuing even if individual operations fail. Rate limiting is handled automatically by the Outline client. IMPORTANT: Archived documents are removed from collections but remain searchable. They won't appear in normal collection views but can still be found through search or the archive list. Use this tool when you need to: - Archive multiple outdated documents at once - Clean up collections in bulk - Batch hide documents without deleting them Recommended batch size: 10-50 documents per operation Args: document_ids: List of document IDs to archive Returns: Summary of batch operation with success/failure details

Moves multiple documents to a different collection or parent. This tool processes each document sequentially, continuing even if individual operations fail. Rate limiting is handled automatically. IMPORTANT: When moving documents that have child documents, all children will move along with them, maintaining hierarchical structure. You must specify either collection_id or parent_document_id (or both). Use this tool when you need to: - Reorganize multiple documents at once - Move documents between collections in bulk - Restructure document hierarchies efficiently Recommended batch size: 10-50 documents per operation Args: document_ids: List of document IDs to move collection_id: Target collection ID (optional) parent_document_id: Target parent document ID (optional) Returns: Summary of batch operation with success/failure details

Deletes multiple documents, moving them to trash or permanently. This tool processes each document sequentially, continuing even if individual operations fail. Rate limiting is handled automatically. IMPORTANT: When permanent=False (the default), documents are moved to trash and retained for 30 days. Setting permanent=True bypasses trash and immediately deletes documents without recovery option. Use this tool when you need to: - Remove multiple unwanted documents at once - Clean up workspace in bulk - Permanently delete sensitive information (with permanent=True) Recommended batch size: 10-50 documents per operation Args: document_ids: List of document IDs to delete permanent: If True, permanently deletes without recovery option Returns: Summary of batch operation with success/failure details

Updates multiple documents with different changes. This tool processes each update sequentially, continuing even if individual operations fail. Rate limiting is handled automatically. Use this tool when you need to: - Update multiple documents with different changes - Batch edit document titles or content - Append content to multiple documents Note: For Mermaid diagrams, use ```mermaidjs (not ```mermaid) as the code fence language identifier for proper rendering. Recommended batch size: 10-50 documents per operation Args: updates: List of update specifications Returns: Summary of batch operation with success/failure details

Creates multiple documents in a single batch operation. This tool processes each creation sequentially, continuing even if individual operations fail. Rate limiting is handled automatically. Use this tool when you need to: - Create multiple documents at once - Bulk import content into collections - Set up document structures efficiently Note: For Mermaid diagrams, use ```mermaidjs (not ```mermaid) as the code fence language identifier for proper rendering. Recommended batch size: 10-50 documents per operation Args: documents: List of document specifications Returns: Summary of batch operation with created document IDs and success/failure details