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Connect AI to Anki
Connect Gemini to Anki

How to Connect Gemini to Anki

Connect Gemini to Anki with the AnkiMCP add-on’s built-in tunnel, so Gemini can read your decks and build cards from your browser.

Gemini runs in the cloud, so it can’t see Anki on your computer. The AnkiMCP add-on fixes this. It runs inside Anki and, with one click, gives your collection a secure public web address that Gemini can reach. You turn on the tunnel, sign in once, and add the address to Gemini as a custom app.

What you need

  • A personal Google Account signed in at gemini.google.com. You’ll add the tunnel under Settings → Personal Intelligence → Connected apps → + Custom. Work and school accounts don’t get this option; see Who can add custom apps? below.
  • Anki 25.07 or later, open on your computer. Get it from apps.ankiweb.net.
  • The AnkiMCP add-on for Anki, code 124672614. You’ll install it below.
  • An AnkiMCP account. The tunnel has a free tier and a paid tier. You sign in the first time you connect it.

Time: about 5 minutes.

Who can add custom apps?

Custom MCP apps are a new Gemini feature, and Google is still rolling it out. Google’s help page lists these requirements:

  • A personal Google Account, not a work or school account.
  • Keep Activity turned on in Gemini settings. With it off, the Custom apps section is disabled.
  • Gemini’s language set to English.
  • Being 18 or over and in the US.

In practice the feature already shows up for accounts outside the US (this guide was written from one), so the region rule seems to be loosening. If you don’t see a + Custom button on the Connected apps page, check the account type, Keep Activity, and language first. Google doesn’t list a paid plan as a requirement, though some reports tie the feature to Google AI Pro or Ultra. If it’s still missing, the feature hasn’t reached your account yet. You can use Claude, ChatGPT, or Grok with the same tunnel in the meantime.

Why a tunnel?

Gemini runs on a remote server, not on your machine. It has no way to reach localhost, where Anki lives, and Gemini’s custom apps accept only a public HTTPS address. The add-on’s tunnel gives Anki exactly that: it relays messages between Gemini and your local Anki over a secure, signed-in connection. Your cards never leave your control, and the link is private to your account.

Step 1: Install the AnkiMCP add-on

The add-on starts a small server inside Anki. It launches on its own every time you open Anki.

  1. Open Anki.
  2. Go to Tools → Add-ons → Get Add-ons…
  3. Enter this code: 124672614
  4. Click OK, then restart Anki.
Anki's Install Add-on dialog with the AnkiMCP add-on code 124672614 entered in the Code field.

Step 2: Connect the tunnel and sign in

Now turn on the tunnel so your Anki gets a public web address.

  1. Go to Tools → AnkiMCP Server Settings…
  2. Click Connect Tunnel.
  3. A login dialog shows a one-time code. Click Open Browser and enter that code on the page that opens.
  4. Approve the sign-in. The add-on saves your login, so you won’t repeat this each time.
Login to AnkiMCP dialog showing a one-time code, an Open Browser button, and a waiting-for-authorization status.

Step 3: Copy the tunnel URL

The tunnel address is the same for everyone:

https://tunnel.ankimcp.ai/mcp

It’s safe to share, because it only works after you sign in — requests reach your Anki only when the AI app is signed in with your account. Copy that URL. You’ll paste it into Gemini next.

AnkiMCP Server Settings with the Cloud Tunnel connected, showing the signed-in account and the permanent tunnel URL https://tunnel.ankimcp.ai/mcp with a Copy button.

Step 4: Add the tunnel to Gemini

Open gemini.google.com on a computer. Custom apps can only be added in the web app; once connected, they work in the Gemini mobile app too.

  1. Click the Settings gear at the bottom of the left sidebar, then Personal Intelligence. On the page that opens, click the Connected apps card.
Gemini's Settings menu open from the gear at the bottom of the left sidebar, with Personal Intelligence under Preferences. Behind it, the Personal Intelligence page shows Memory, Connected apps, and Instructions for Gemini cards.
  1. On the Connected apps page, click + Custom in the top-right corner. A Connect to an MCP server dialog opens. Paste your tunnel URL into MCP server URL and click Next. Leave Additional settings closed; it’s for servers that need manual client credentials, and AnkiMCP registers itself automatically.
Gemini's Connect to an MCP server dialog over the Connected apps page: the MCP server URL field contains https://tunnel.ankimcp.ai/mcp, with an Additional settings row, a note that the app hasn't been reviewed by Google, and Cancel and Next buttons.
  1. Gemini explains what it will do with the server (run its tools, read and share data). Click Connect.
Gemini's Connect this MCP server dialog for https://tunnel.ankimcp.ai/mcp, showing the signed-in Google account (blurred), the list of what Gemini will do with the custom connected app, a trust warning, and Cancel and Connect buttons.
  1. Google asks you to link your Google Account with the AnkiMCP app, listed as [Custom] Ankimcp. Scroll down and click Agree and continue.
Google's Link your Google Account and [Custom] Ankimcp account consent screen listing Execute MCP server tools, Retrieve and manage data, and Share data, a Make sure that you trust section, and Cancel and Agree and continue buttons.
  1. AnkiMCP opens and asks you to Grant Access to Google. Sign in if prompted, then click Yes.
AnkiMCP's Grant Access to Google page listing Access your Anki via the AnkiMCP tunnel (MCP), Email address, and User profile, with Yes and No buttons.
  1. Back in Gemini, a Save your custom app dialog shows the app name, Anki Mcp, and the list of available actions it found (60 of them). Click Connect.
Gemini's Save your custom app dialog with the name Anki Mcp, an Available actions list showing add_note, add_notes, card_reposition and more with a See all 60 link, and Cancel and Connect buttons.
  1. Anki Mcp now appears under Custom apps on the Connected apps page.
Gemini's Connected apps page on the Connectors tab, with Anki Mcp listed under Custom apps.

Check it worked

Keep Anki open, then start a new chat. Type @, pick Anki Mcp under Connectors, and ask: “can you fetch list of my decks?”

Gemini's prompt box with @ank typed and a Connectors menu below it showing Anki Mcp.

If it names your real decks and card counts, the tunnel works. You can now ask it to make cards, search your collection, or review with you. Mentioning the app with @ tells Gemini to use it for that message, which is the reliable way to start; after that, it usually reaches for Anki Mcp on its own whenever you talk about Anki.

A Gemini conversation: the user message @Anki Mcp can you fetch list of my decks?, and Gemini replying with a table of the user's Anki decks with deck IDs and new, learning, review, and total card counts.

Fix common problems

I don’t see a + Custom button on the Connected apps page. Go back to Who can add custom apps?. The usual causes are a work or school account, Keep Activity turned off, or a language other than English. If all three are fine, the feature hasn’t reached your account yet.

Gemini says it can’t connect to the app. Make sure Anki is open and the tunnel shows as connected in Tools → AnkiMCP Server Settings…. The tunnel only relays while Anki is running. Reconnect the tunnel if needed.

Gemini connects but sees no decks. Anki itself may be closed. Open Anki and confirm the tunnel is connected in Tools → AnkiMCP Server Settings….

Gemini answers from memory instead of using AnkiMCP. Start the message with @Anki Mcp. Gemini only guarantees a custom app is used when you mention it.

Sign-in didn’t open my browser. The login dialog shows a backup link and code. Open the link and enter the code to approve.

Common questions

Do I have to pay? The add-on is free. The tunnel has a free tier to get started and a paid tier for higher limits — see pricing. Gemini custom apps are available on a personal Google Account; Google doesn’t list a paid Gemini plan as a requirement.

Does it work in the Gemini mobile app? Yes, once you’ve connected it on the web. You can’t add a custom app from the mobile app itself.

Can I use Gemini CLI instead? Yes. Gemini CLI is a terminal tool that connects to MCP servers directly, including local ones, with no custom-apps eligibility. Add AnkiMCP to its mcpServers config the same way as other desktop clients; see Connect other MCP clients.

Next steps

Disclaimer: “Anki” is a registered trademark of Ankitects Pty Ltd. AnkiMCP is an independent, community-built project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ankitects. Gemini and Google are trademarks of Google LLC; AnkiMCP is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google. MCP is an open standard originated by Anthropic; AnkiMCP is likewise not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.

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