Where do I obtain my Readwise Access Token?

You can quickly find or generate your specific access token by logging into your Readwise account and directly visiting `https://readwise.io/access_token`. Copy the alphanumeric token presented there and insert it directly into the prompt required by this integration.

Can the AI add native highlights or upload PDFs to Reader for me?

Currently, the integration server functions on a Read-Only standard format designed specifically to fetch existing knowledge. It fetches metadata or full-text values from highlights, tags, and Reader items, but it doesn't support publishing or updating new sources back to Readwise natively.

Does it also search through to my saved Readwise Reader feed?

Yes. Tools like `list_reader_documents` and `get_reader_document` are designated explicitly for extracting articles or stored reads directly residing inside your connected Readwise Reader account, keeping both typical highlights and Reader data separate but reachable.

Readwise MCP Server for Cursor 6 tools — connect in under 2 minutes

Name: Readwise
Availability: InStock
Author: Vinkius

docs.cursor.com/context/model-context-protocol

Built by Vinkius GDPR 6 Tools IDE

Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on VS Code that integrates LLM-powered coding assistance directly into the development workflow. Its Agent mode enables autonomous multi-step coding tasks, and MCP support lets agents access external data sources and APIs during code generation.

Get MCP Server for AI Agents

ASK AI ABOUT THIS MCP SERVER

Open in ChatGPT Open in Claude Open in Perplexity

Vinkius supports streamable HTTP and SSE.

RecommendedModern Approach — Zero Configuration

Vinkius Desktop App

The modern way to manage MCP Servers — no config files, no terminal commands. Install Readwise and 2,500+ MCP Servers from a single visual interface.

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Classic Setup·json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "readwise": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Fully ManagedVinkius Servers

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IAMAccess control

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DLPData protection

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<40msKill switch

Stream every event to Splunk, Datadog, or your own webhook in real-time

* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure

About Readwise MCP Server

Connect your Readwise account directly to your AI agent. Enabling this integration turns your AI into an expert research assistant, capable of instantly scanning your entire timeline of book highlights, article snippets, tweet saves, and personal tags directly from your unified Readwise and Readwise Reader library.

Cursor's Agent mode turns Readwise into an in-editor superpower. Ask Cursor to generate code using live data from Readwise and it fetches, processes, and writes — all in a single agentic loop. 6 tools appear alongside file editing and terminal access, creating a unified development environment grounded in real-time information.

What you can do

Highlight Retrieval — Perform searches or bulk retrievals of every snippet, quote, or highlight you've ever saved from your Kindle, Apple Books, and web browsers.
Library Browsing — Ask your AI to list all the books, articles, and sources currently populated in your Readwise database.
Readwise Reader Documents — Full access to list and extract content directly from articles and feeds saved into your Readwise Reader app.
Tag Management Analysis — Retrieve the categorizations and tags you use to organize your knowledge base system.

The Readwise MCP Server exposes 6 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to Cursor in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.

How to Connect Readwise to Cursor via MCP

Follow these steps to integrate the Readwise MCP Server with Cursor.

Open MCP Settings

Press Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) → search "MCP Settings"

Add the server config

Paste the JSON configuration above into the mcp.json file that opens

Save the file

Cursor will automatically detect the new MCP server

Start using Readwise

Open Agent mode in chat and ask: "Using Readwise, help me..." — 6 tools available

Why Use Cursor with the Readwise MCP Server

Cursor AI Code Editor provides unique advantages when paired with Readwise through the Model Context Protocol.

Agent mode turns Cursor into an autonomous coding assistant that can read files, run commands, and call MCP tools without switching context

Cursor's Composer feature can generate entire files using real-time data fetched through MCP — no copy-pasting from external dashboards

MCP tools appear alongside built-in tools like file reading and terminal access, creating a unified agentic environment

VS Code extension compatibility means your existing workflow, keybindings, and extensions all work alongside MCP tools

Readwise + Cursor Use Cases

Practical scenarios where Cursor combined with the Readwise MCP Server delivers measurable value.

Code generation with live data: ask Cursor to generate a security report module using live DNS and subdomain data fetched through MCP

Automated documentation: have Cursor query your API's tool schemas and generate TypeScript interfaces or OpenAPI specs automatically

Infrastructure-as-code: Cursor can fetch domain configurations and generate corresponding Terraform or CloudFormation templates

Test scaffolding: ask Cursor to pull real API responses via MCP and generate unit test fixtures from actual data

Readwise MCP Tools for Cursor (6)

These 6 tools become available when you connect Readwise to Cursor via MCP:

check_auth_status

Verifies the validity of the Readwise access token

get_reader_document

Retrieves details for a specific Reader document

list_books

Lists all books and sources in Readwise

list_highlights

Lists all highlights from the user's Readwise account

list_reader_documents

Lists documents in the Readwise Reader

list_tags

Lists all tags used in Readwise

Example Prompts for Readwise in Cursor

Ready-to-use prompts you can give your Cursor agent to start working with Readwise immediately.

"List the most recent 5 books I highlighted on Readwise."

"Show me the text of the recent document I saved to Reader with the ID 1234."

"Search my highlights for any mentions of 'productivity'."

Troubleshooting Readwise MCP Server with Cursor

Common issues when connecting Readwise to Cursor through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.

Tools not appearing in Cursor

Ensure you are in Agent mode (not Ask mode). MCP tools only work in Agent mode.

Server shows as disconnected

Check Settings → Features → MCP and verify the server status. Try clicking the refresh button.

Readwise + Cursor FAQ

Common questions about integrating Readwise MCP Server with Cursor.

What is Agent mode and why does it matter for MCP?

Agent mode is Cursor's autonomous execution mode where the AI can perform multi-step tasks: reading files, editing code, running terminal commands, and calling MCP tools. Without Agent mode, Cursor operates in a simpler ask-and-answer mode that doesn't support tool calling. Always ensure you're in Agent mode when working with MCP servers.

Where does Cursor store MCP configuration?

Cursor looks for MCP server configurations in a mcp.json file. You can configure servers at the project level (.cursor/mcp.json in your project root) or globally (~/.cursor/mcp.json). Project-level configs take precedence.

Can Cursor use MCP tools in inline edits?

No. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode through the chat panel. Inline completions and Tab suggestions do not trigger MCP tool calls. This is by design — tool calls require user visibility and approval.

How do I verify MCP tools are loaded?

Open Settings → Features → MCP and look for your server name. A green indicator means the server is connected. You can also check Agent mode's available tools by clicking the tools dropdown in the chat panel.