Markmap MCP Server: Markdown to Interactive Mind Maps

What is the Markmap MCP server?

Markmap MCP Server reads Markdown headings and nested lists and turns them into an interactive mind map, using the open-source markmap library. The conversion runs on your machine, so no API key or cloud call is needed.

An AI coding agent can pass raw Markdown text or point to a local .md document, then get back a path, inline HTML, or an image block, depending on how the server is configured at startup.

What it changes in your workflow

• A design doc, outline or set of notes becomes a zoomable, collapsible mind map without opening a separate app.
• Server-side export through Playwright produces a PNG, JPG or SVG image so the agent can drop it straight into chat.
• An offline mode inlines assets into the HTML output, so the page still works without reaching a CDN.
• A cleanup tool deletes old generated output by age, so the output location does not fill up over time.

Where it runs

Who it is for

Best for

• Anyone who wants a quick mind map from meeting notes, a design brief or a project outline.
• Agent workflows that need a chat-friendly image of a hierarchy instead of a wall of Markdown.
• Privacy-conscious setups, since conversion stays on the local machine with no cloud mind-map API.

Not for

• Generating an animated SVG from a single JSON config rather than a Markdown outline, which is what the nakkas MCP renders.
• Keeping a searchable React component library on hand instead of drawing a one-off mind map, a job the Lightswind UI MCP does for agents.
• Loading visualization design rules for charts or diagrams rather than converting a document outline, the specific task the Generative UI MCP loads on demand.

Use it with UiChemy

A mind map is a useful planning step before building a page. Once the structure is set, UiChemy turns that plan into an editable WordPress page: Composer edits Elementor or Gutenberg visually, and AI to WordPress imports an existing AI build. Click Get Started on uichemy.com.

Connect Markmap MCP Server: Markdown to Interactive Mind Maps to your AI client

npx -y @jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server

1. Check prerequisites

   Node.js v20 or above is required. For server-side PNG, JPG or SVG export, run npm install playwright and npx playwright install chromium first.

2. Add the server config

   Put the config above in your MCP client's settings, for Cursor, Claude Desktop or another stdio-capable client. Set MARKMAP_DIR to where generated output should land.

3. Or run it directly

   Run npx -y @jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server --output /path/to/output --open always to start the server with an output location and auto-open behavior set on the command line.

4. Restart and test

   Restart your client, then ask it to summarize a document or convert a specific Markdown document into a mind map.

Client configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "markmap": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@jinzcdev/markmap-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "MARKMAP_DIR": "/path/to/output/location",
        "MARKMAP_OPEN": "never",
        "MARKMAP_RETURN_MODE": "path"
      }
    }
  }
}

Endpoints and ports

What you can do with it

• Local conversionMarkdown is turned into a mind map on your own machine, with no third-party API key or cloud mind-map service.
• Server-side image exportPlaywright renders the mind map to PNG, JPG or SVG so the agent can hand back an image instead of only HTML.
• Flexible return modesA path, content or both return mode decides whether a tool call gets a path, inline HTML or image data, or everything.
• Document input supportAn agent can point to an existing Markdown document by its absolute path instead of pasting the whole thing as text.
• Offline HTML outputStarting the server with --offline inlines assets into the generated page, so it renders without a CDN connection.
• Browser preview controlAn always, never or agent-decided open setting controls whether the generated mind map opens in a browser automatically.
• Built-in cleanupA dedicated tool removes old generated output by age or clears the output location entirely, with a dry-run check first.

Tools it exposes

Frequently asked questions