---
slug: "xmind"
source_type: "readme"
source_url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/BangyiZhang/xmind-generator-mcp@main/README.md"
repo: "https://github.com/BangyiZhang/xmind-generator-mcp"
source_file: "README.md"
branch: "main"
---
# Xmind Generator MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for generating Xmind mind maps. This server allows LLMs to create structured mind maps through the MCP protocol.

## Features

- Generate Xmind mind maps with hierarchical topic structures
- Support for topic notes, labels, markers, and relationships
- Save mind maps to local files
- **Read existing .xmind files and export an outline as Markdown**
- Easy integration with Claude Desktop and other MCP clients

## Prerequisites

- **Node.js**: Version 18 or higher is required
- **Xmind**: Install [Xmind](https://xmind.app/) desktop application to open and edit the generated mind maps
- **Claude Desktop**: Required to use this tool as an extension

## Setup with Claude Desktop

### Option 1: Using npx (Recommended)

1. Create or edit the Claude Desktop configuration file:
   - macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
   - Windows: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

2. Add the following configuration:
   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "xmind-generator": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": ["xmind-generator-mcp"],
         "env": {
           "outputPath": "/path/to/save/xmind/files",
           "autoOpenFile": "false"
         }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

3. Restart Claude Desktop
4. Start using the Xmind generator in your conversations

### Option 2: Local Installation

1. Clone the repository:
   ```bash
   git clone https://github.com/BangyiZhang/xmind-generator-mcp.git
   cd xmind-generator-mcp
   npm install
   npm run build
   ```

2. Create or edit the Claude Desktop configuration file:
   - macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
   - Windows: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

3. Add the following configuration:
   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "xmind-generator": {
         "command": "node",
         "args": ["path/to/xmind-generator-mcp/dist/index.js"],
         "env": {
           "outputPath": "/path/to/save/xmind/files",
           "autoOpenFile": "false"
         }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

4. Replace `path/to/xmind-generator-mcp` with the actual path to your cloned project
5. Restart Claude Desktop
6. Start using the Xmind generator in your conversations

**Note**: The `env` section is optional. It allows you to set environment variables for the server:
- `outputPath`: Default directory or file path where Xmind files will be saved. This can be overridden by the `outputPath` parameter in the tool call.
- `autoOpenFile`: Controls whether generated Xmind files are automatically opened after creation. Set to "false" to disable auto-opening (default is "true").

## Available Tools

### generate-mind-map

Generates an Xmind mind map from a hierarchical structure of topics.

Parameters:
- `title` (string): The title of the mind map (root topic)
- `topics` (array): Array of topics to include in the mind map
  - `title` (string): The title of the topic
  - `ref` (string, optional): Reference ID for the topic
  - `note` (string, optional): Note for the topic
  - `labels` (array of strings, optional): Labels for the topic
  - `markers` (array of strings, optional): Markers for the topic (format: "Category.name", e.g., "Arrow.refresh")
  - `children` (array, optional): Array of child topics
- `relationships` (array, optional): Array of relationships between topics
- `outputPath` (string, optional): Custom output path for the Xmind file. This overrides the environment variable if set.

### read-mind-map

Reads an existing `.xmind` file and exports it as a Markdown outline.

Parameters:
- `inputPath` (string): Path to the `.xmind` file
- `style` (string, optional): Markdown style. Currently supports `A` (outline). (`B` reserved for future richer exports.)

Example:
```json
{
  "inputPath": "/path/to/file.xmind",
  "style": "A"
}
```


## Example

Here's an example of how to use the `generate-mind-map` tool:

```json
{
  "title": "Project Plan",
  "topics": [
    {
      "title": "Research",
      "ref": "topic:research",
      "note": "Gather information about the market",
      "children": [
        {
          "title": "Market Analysis",
          "labels": ["Priority: High"]
        },
        {
          "title": "Competitor Research",
          "markers": ["Task.quarter"]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Development",
      "children": [
        {
          "title": "Frontend",
          "markers": ["Arrow.refresh"]
        },
        {
          "title": "Backend"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## License

MIT