annas-mcp: A CLI and MCP Server for Anna's Archive Document Retrieval

Introduction

annas-mcp is an MCP server and CLI tool specifically designed for searching and downloading documents from Anna's Archive. It provides robust functionalities to search for documents based on specified terms and to download specific documents that have been previously identified.

The project emphasizes responsible use, noting that Anna's Archive serves as a comprehensive repository for automated retrieval of documents released under permissive licensing frameworks, including Creative Commons publications and public domain materials. This software does not endorse unauthorized acquisition of copyrighted content and should be regarded solely as a utility. Users are urged to respect the intellectual property rights of authors.

Installation

To get started with annas-mcp, you need to download the appropriate binary for your operating system from the GitHub Releases section.

For CLI usage, you will need a donation to Anna's Archive, which grants JSON API access, and an API key. The following environment variables must be set:

ANNAS_SECRET_KEY: Your Anna's Archive API key.
ANNAS_DOWNLOAD_PATH: The path where downloaded documents will be stored.

Optionally, you can set ANNAS_BASE_URL to specify a different Anna's Archive mirror, if the default annas-archive.li is not working. These variables can also be stored in an .env file.

If you plan to use annas-mcp as an MCP server, you will also need an MCP client, such as Claude Desktop, and configure it to integrate with the annas-mcp binary.

Examples

As a CLI Tool

Once installed and configured, you can use the CLI for searching and downloading:

# Search Anna's Archive for documents matching 'quantum physics'
annas-mcp search "quantum physics"

# Download a specific document using its ID (obtained from a search)
annas-mcp download "document-id-example"

As an MCP Server

For integration with an MCP client like Claude Desktop, you would configure it as follows:

"anna-mcp": {
    "command": "/Users/iosifache/Downloads/annas-mcp",
    "args": ["mcp"],
    "env": {
        "ANNAS_SECRET_KEY": "feedfacecafebeef",
        "ANNAS_DOWNLOAD_PATH": "/Users/iosifache/Downloads"
    }
}

Visual demonstrations are available in the project's GitHub repository, showcasing both CLI and MCP server interactions.

Why Use It

annas-mcp offers a streamlined and efficient way to interact with Anna's Archive, providing both a direct command-line interface and seamless integration as an MCP server. This dual functionality makes it highly adaptable for various workflows, from automated scripting and batch processing to interactive use with AI clients that support the Model Context Protocol.

It simplifies the process of finding and retrieving documents, especially for those interested in permissively licensed or public domain content, ensuring quick access to a vast repository of knowledge.

annas-mcp: A CLI and MCP Server for Anna's Archive Document Retrieval

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