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MarkItDown-MCP

MarkItDown-MCP is the MCP server in Microsoft's MarkItDown repository. Its `convert_to_markdown(uri)` tool converts local files, web pages, or data URIs into Markdown for LLM workflows.

176.2k StarsMITPythonUpdated 6 days ago

Install and use GitHub

Project overview

MarkItDown-MCP wraps Microsoft's document conversion utility as a local MCP server. An agent calls `convert_to_markdown(uri)` to turn supported files, Office documents, web pages, or other inputs into structured Markdown. It is useful for LLM ingestion, but its ability to read files accessible to the current user requires a narrow permission boundary.

Core capabilities

Convert files to Markdown

Converts supported local files or remote URIs to Markdown that preserves useful headings, lists, tables, and links.

Convert web and data URIs

Connects to a local MCP client through default STDIO.

Local STDIO connection

Offers optional Streamable HTTP or SSE while binding to localhost by default.

Debug with MCP Inspector

Uses MCP Inspector to list tools and invoke `convert_to_markdown` for a minimal check.

MarkItDown-MCP README showing how to connect and debug the server with MCP Inspector — The debugging guide covers STDIO, Streamable HTTP, and SSE and leads users to the convert_to_markdown tool.View repository image

Setup and connection

Prefer a local Python virtual environment and STDIO. Give the server access to one test directory and convert a nonsensitive file before connecting real documents.

AI AGENT INSTALL

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Send this prompt to Codex, Claude Code, or another AI agent that can work with your local environment.

Help me install MarkItDown-MCP from https://github.com/microsoft/markitdown using the component README at https://github.com/microsoft/markitdown/blob/main/packages/markitdown-mcp/README.md. Read the component README, root README, and LICENSE first. Install `markitdown-mcp` in an isolated Python environment and prefer the STDIO command `markitdown-mcp`. Use only the nonsensitive test directory I specify and do not bind HTTP or SSE to a non-localhost interface. Ask before extra dependencies, other directories, authenticated URLs, network listeners, credentials, additional permissions, or file replacement. Finally, use MCP Inspector to list tools and convert one test file.

01Before you start

Python and pip
An MCP client with STDIO support
A nonsensitive test file

02Copy the install command or configuration

pip install markitdown-mcp

03Complete the setup steps

1
Create an isolated environment and install
Run `pip install markitdown-mcp` in an isolated Python environment.
2
Configure local STDIO
Set the MCP client command to `markitdown-mcp` and leave HTTP/SSE disabled initially.
3
Verify with a test file
Use MCP Inspector to list tools and call `convert_to_markdown` on a nonsensitive file.

How to verify the setup

Start `markitdown-mcp`, connect with MCP Inspector using STDIO and the `markitdown-mcp` command, list tools, and call `convert_to_markdown` on a test file. A structured Markdown result completes the check.

Before using it

Prefer STDIO and minimal file permissions
Do not expose the unauthenticated server to an external network

MarkItDown-MCP README showing pip installation, STDIO, and local HTTP commands — The component installs with pip, defaults to STDIO, and also documents Streamable HTTP and SSE on 127.0.0.1.View repository image

Use cases

SCENARIO 01

Let an agent read office files

Convert PDFs, Word, PowerPoint, or Excel content into LLM-friendly Markdown.

SCENARIO 02

Normalize web pages and URIs

Convert public pages or other supported URIs into a consistent text structure.

SCENARIO 03

Prepare local knowledge

Create Markdown for summarization, retrieval, or Q&A inside a restricted local directory.

Assessment

MarkItDown-MCP has a clear purpose, simple installation, a mature repository, and both STDIO and optional network transports. Its most important limitation is unauthenticated file access with current-user privileges, making it best suited to trusted local agents and restricted directories. This assessment uses the component README, root README, source structure, release, and MIT license without running a conversion.

Why it may be useful

Simple installation command
Useful document-to-Markdown workflow
README clearly states local binding and file-access risks

What to know first

Unauthenticated access to local files
High-fidelity layout is not the goal
No installation or functional test was performed

README

MarkItDown-MCP

Overview

MarkItDown-MCP is the MCP server in Microsoft's MarkItDown repository. Its `convert_to_markdown(uri)` tool converts local files, web pages, or data URIs into Markdown for LLM workflows. Python tool for converting files and office documents to Markdown.

Getting started

Prefer a local Python virtual environment and STDIO. Give the server access to one test directory and convert a nonsensitive file before connecting real documents.
The component exposes `convert_to_markdown(uri)` for `http:`, `https:`, `file:`, and `data:` URIs.
Install with `pip install markitdown-mcp` and run `markitdown-mcp` for default STDIO.
Start `markitdown-mcp`, connect with MCP Inspector using STDIO and the `markitdown-mcp` command, list tools, and call `convert_to_markdown` on a test file. A structured Markdown result completes the check.

Configuration

pip install markitdown-mcp

Read the complete README on GitHub →