Hosting

Local process; optional local-only HTTP or SSE mode. The server does not provide a hosted remote service.

Transport

stdio by default; optional local Streamable HTTP or SSE.

Endpoint

Local process; no hosted endpoint documented

Authentication

No authentication is implemented. The process accesses files and network resources with the permissions of the local user.

Requirements

• Python and pip installed in the environment used by the MCP client.
• Install the official `markitdown-mcp` package; the current README does not declare a minimum Python version in its setup section.
• Local file access is limited to paths the server process can access; Docker users must mount authorized folders explicitly.

Setup steps

1. Install the official package with `pip install markitdown-mcp` in the Python environment used for the MCP server.
2. Configure stdio with command `markitdown-mcp` and no arguments. The only documented tool is `convert_to_markdown(uri)`, where the URI must use an `http:`, `https:`, `file:`, or `data:` scheme.
3. Reconnect the client, inspect tools/list, and use a harmless document URI the user intended to process. If Docker is used, mount only the required directory and refer to its container path.
4. For optional local Streamable HTTP or SSE, run `markitdown-mcp --http --host 127.0.0.1 --port 3001`; use `/mcp` for Streamable HTTP or `/sse` for SSE. Keep the host bound to loopback because the server has no authentication.
5. Do not expose the server on other interfaces without an intentional sandbox and access controls: its tool can read any file and network resource available to the process. The official README also documents MCP Inspector as a connection check.

The current Microsoft package README documents exactly one tool, `convert_to_markdown(uri)`. This is documentation-based; tools/list was not run. The URI may target local files or network resources, so use only intended inputs and restrict process permissions.

• convert_to_markdown

  Convert an HTTP, HTTPS, file, or data URI to Markdown.

  01

This server’s available tools can vary by account, permissions, or configuration. The list shown is not its full runtime catalog.

• The server has no authentication and operates with the permissions of its local process.
• `convert_to_markdown` can access local files or network resources available to that process; use a narrow sandbox and restrict exposed directories and network access.
• The project README warns to keep optional HTTP/SSE mode on localhost unless additional access controls are intentionally implemented.
• Documentation and logo were reviewed; connection, tools/list, and functionality were not tested.

• official mcp package documentation

  Documents the official package name, stdio command, optional HTTP/SSE setup, exact convert_to_markdown tool and URI schemes, Docker volume setup, debugging, and security warnings.

• verified publisher organization avatar

  Microsoft organization logo associated with the official Microsoft-owned MarkItDown repository. Downloaded, decoded, and visually checked in both themes; selected tier B because the reviewed MCP package has no separate product icon. The publisher is still identified as Microsoft, not as a logo-based inference.

• discovery directory

  Microsoft MarkItDown appeared in the awesome-mcp.tools top list; discovery ranking was not used as proof of support or capabilities.

• maintainer or vendor documentation

  Microsoft package README documents exactly one convert_to_markdown tool.

Documentation checked 2026-10-28T00:00:00Z. Connection has not been runtime tested.