LystBot

Claude todo list: groceries and tasks with LystBot MCP

A Claude todo list can live in LystBot, where your household can read and check the same items on their phones. Run npx lystbot login YOUR_API_KEY, then register the local server with claude mcp add lystbot -- npx lystbot mcp, or use the Claude Desktop config below.

MCP tool Operation Use
list_lists Read lists Find the intended list
get_list Read one list Check current items
add_items Add items Save recipe ingredients
check_item Check an item Mark a purchase done

See the LystBot agent setup for the full reference. Related guides: Claude Code registration walkthrough, shared lists in the LystBot app.

Manage grocery lists with Claude using LystBot MCP server

How a Claude MCP grocery list works

MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects Claude to external tools. LystBot includes a local stdio server with 26 tools; it starts with npx lystbot mcp.

That matters because Claude is good at planning meals, comparing recipes, and turning rough ideas into clean lists. Claude is bad at one thing on its own: saving those results into the app your family uses. An MCP link between Claude and a grocery list app fixes that gap.

LystBot ships with a built-in MCP server. When Claude connects to it, Claude can create a list, add items, check them off, and share the result with the people who shop with you.

Most MCP tools live in developer land. Databases. GitHub. File systems. LystBot goes after a better target, the boring daily stuff people repeat every week.

MCP server setup: 5 steps for Claude Desktop

Here is the full setup. No prior MCP experience needed.

Step 1: Install LystBot

Grab it from the App Store or Google Play. Create a list or two. Add a few items so Claude has something real to work with.

Step 2: Get your AI Agents code

Open Settings, tap AI Agents, and copy the API key.

LystBot settings screen showing API key for MCP server setup

Step 3: Authenticate the CLI

Open a terminal and run:

npx lystbot login YOUR_API_KEY

This stores your code locally so LystBot can authenticate the MCP connection.

Step 4: Add LystBot to Claude Desktop

Open Claude Desktop settings, find the MCP config, and add this block:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lystbot": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["lystbot", "mcp"]
    }
  }
}

On macOS, the config file lives at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json.

On Windows, check %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json.

Step 5: Restart Claude Desktop

Restart Claude Desktop, then ask it to read your lists. Compare the returned list names with the phone app before asking it to add an item.

If LystBot doesn't appear: make sure you ran npx lystbot login YOUR_API_KEY first, check that the JSON block has no trailing commas, and restart Claude Desktop one more time. Check that the client launches npx lystbot mcp in the environment where you logged in.

That's it. Your Claude Desktop grocery list connection is live.

LystBot lists overview after Claude Desktop setup for grocery lists

Download LystBot free on the App Store and Google Play to try the setup on your own lists.

Claude shopping list prompts to try

These are actual prompts you can type into Claude once the connection is live.

AI chat conversation managing a grocery list through LystBot MCP server

"Add milk, eggs, and bread to my grocery list"

Claude calls LystBot, finds your grocery list, and adds the three items. Your phone buzzes. The list updates right away.

"What's on my shopping list?"

Claude reads the list and shows you the current items, including what someone already checked off.

LystBot grocery list detail managed by Claude MCP

"Check off the milk"

Claude marks it done. If your partner shares the list, they see the checkmark on their phone too.

"Create a new list called Party Supplies with a balloon emoji"

Claude creates it. You can then ask it to add plates, ice, candles, and cups in one shot.

"Share my grocery list"

Claude generates a share code. Send it to anyone and they can join from their phone.

Push notification when Claude adds items to your grocery list via MCP LystBot share code generated by Claude MCP server

This is where the setup stops feeling technical. Ask Claude to plan five dinners for the week and add every ingredient. Ask it to compare two recipes and choose the cheaper one. Ask it to build a list from a meal plan, then let your family shop from the result.

Beyond groceries: more MCP list use cases

Once the connection works, you can use the same flow for other household lists.

Travel packing lists. "I'm going to Iceland for a week in November. Create a packing list." Claude builds the list, you check things off on your phone.

Gift tracking. "Add Lego Space Shuttle to Theo's birthday list." Keep a running list all year instead of scrambling the night before.

Shared project lists. "Add call electrician and order tile samples to the kitchen project list." You and your partner both see the same progress.

Reading lists, watch lists, wishlists. Any list you'd normally bury in Notes gets a proper home that Claude can manage.

Connect with Claude Code or another local MCP client

Claude Desktop gets the most attention because it's the easiest entry point for households. The same LystBot server also works with other MCP clients, including Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and Claude Code.

For Claude Code, one command handles the setup:

claude mcp add lystbot -- npx lystbot mcp

LystBot is listed on the official MCP Registry, so you can verify the server there. The CLI and server are also open source on GitHub.

FAQ

Can Claude manage tasks as well as groceries?

Yes. LystBot supports todo and shopping lists, and the same MCP tools read and change their items. Name the target list explicitly.

Does the server have a hosted URL?

No. It runs locally over stdio with npx lystbot mcp. Use the REST API if your client requires HTTP access.

How do I check that an item was saved?

Read the intended list with get_list and compare it with the phone app. If a tool fails or the list is wrong, resolve that before asking for more changes.