anywrite

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`anywrite` is a single compiled Bun/TypeScript CLI for the [Anytype](https://anytype.io) desktop app's local HTTP API — **all 52 endpoints** across spaces, objects, properties, tags, types, templates, lists, chat, files, members, search, and auth — as one binary with zero runtime dependencies. It exists as a low-context alternative to Anytype's official MCP server: rather than exposing 52 always-loaded tools to every agent session, `anywrite` is a normal CLI wired as a skill that costs zero context until it's actually invoked, and is equally usable from a terminal or any script.

Category: General & Miscellaneous
Repo: antigravity-awesome-skills
Path: skills/anywrite/SKILL.md
Updated: 7/19/2026, 7:47:10 PM
Open on GitHubHow to Install

AI Summary

`anywrite` is a single compiled Bun/TypeScript CLI for the [Anytype](https://anytype.io) desktop app's local HTTP API — **all 52 endpoints** across spaces, objects, properties, tags, types, templates, lists, chat, files, members, search, and auth — as one binary with zero runtime dependencies. It exists as a low-context alternative to Anytype's official MCP server: rather than exposing 52 always-loaded tools to every agent session, `anywrite` is a normal CLI wired as a skill that costs zero context until it's actually invoked, and is equally usable from a terminal or any script. It is useful for general automation, multi-purpose workflows, cross-disciplinary tasks, and utility skills. Source: antigravity-awesome-skills (skills/anywrite/SKILL.md).

anywrite

Overview

anywrite is a single compiled Bun/TypeScript CLI for the Anytype desktop app's local HTTP API — all 52 endpoints across spaces, objects, properties, tags, types, templates, lists, chat, files, members, search, and auth — as one binary with zero runtime dependencies. It exists as a low-context alternative to Anytype's official MCP server: rather than exposing 52 always-loaded tools to every agent session, anywrite is a normal CLI wired as a skill that costs zero context until it's actually invoked, and is equally usable from a terminal or any script.

When to Use This Skill

  • Use when the user mentions Anytype or asks to create, update, search, or organize notes, tasks, or PKM objects.
  • Use when working with Anytype spaces, properties, tags, types, templates, or lists (sets and collections).
  • Use when the user asks to upload files to a space, chat inside a space, or read/write structured objects programmatically.

How It Works

Step 1: Ensure Anytype desktop is running and authenticated

The Anytype desktop app must be running locally (default http://localhost:31009). Authenticate once:

./dist/anywrite auth --status        # shows configured yes/no and where the key came from
./dist/anywrite auth                 # challenge flow — a 4-digit code appears in the app
./dist/anywrite auth --code 1234     # non-interactive form of the same exchange

The key is written to ~/.anywrite/config.json and is never printed by any command.

Step 2: Invoke a resource + action

anywrite <resource> <action> [positionals] [--flag value]

Resources: spaces, objects, properties, tags, types, templates, lists, files, members, search, chat, auth. Output is JSON by default; add --pretty for a human view, --json as an escape hatch for anything the typed flags don't model yet. space/type/property positionals accept a name or an id — names are resolved to ids automatically.

Examples

Example 1: Create and update an object

./dist/anywrite objects create <space> --type task --name "Buy milk"
./dist/anywrite objects update <space> <object_id> --status "Done"

Example 2: Search and upload a file

./dist/anywrite search global --query "task" --types task
./dist/anywrite files upload <space> --file ./image.png

Example 3: Read chat messages

./dist/anywrite chat messages <space> <chat_id> --all

Best Practices

  • ✅ Pass names for space/type/property and let the CLI resolve them to ids.
  • ✅ Use default JSON output for scripting and --pretty for human review.
  • ✅ Reach for --json when a brand-new API field isn't yet covered by a typed flag.
  • ❌ Don't set an empty-string emoji --icon; omit the flag entirely instead.
  • ❌ Don't expect lists add/remove to work on sets — they only apply to collections.

Limitations

  • This skill does not replace environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
  • Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, or safety boundaries are missing.
  • Bounded by the Anytype local API itself: no block-level editing (body is whole-markdown replace only), no member invite/role management, no template create/update/delete, no space deletion.
  • The object body field is named --body on create but --markdown on update.

Security & Safety Notes

  • The API key is stored locally in ~/.anywrite/config.json and is never printed by any command, including auth --status.
  • Config precedence at runtime: ANYTYPE_API_KEY env var, then ~/.anywrite/config.json, then a read-only fallback to an existing ~/.anytype-cli/config.yaml.
  • All operations target a locally-running Anytype desktop instance; no data is sent to third-party servers.
  • Delete is a soft archive everywhere and is idempotent — a repeated delete stays 200, never 410.

Common Pitfalls

  • Problem: lists add/remove silently does nothing on a set. Solution: These only work on collections, not sets.
  • Problem: Re-uploading an identical file returns an existing object id instead of a new one. Solution: This is intentional — file upload dedupes by content hash.
  • Problem: Chat messages don't paginate like everything else. Solution: Chat paginates by cursor; every other resource paginates by offset.

Related Skills

  • @docx - When the deliverable is a Word document rather than an Anytype object.

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