Bear 2.9 launches with tag-based workspace feature and note scoping for the MCP server

Bear 2.9 brings major updates for users seeking refined organization and more controls in their Markdown note-taking experience for macOS and iOS. The new workspace feature allows you to turn any tag into a focused writing environment. When a workspace is set, Bear shows only the notes associated with that tag. The sidebar adapts as well, displaying only the relevant tags to help filter and navigate notes more efficiently. Archive and trash entries in the sidebar update to match the current workspace, ensuring that distractions are minimized, and the entire interface is centered on your selected topic.

Building on these organizational features, Bear 2.9 also adds more granular control over note visibility for the MCP server integration, which was introduced in the previous update. Users can specify which notes are available to external tools like Claude by using “Only tags”, which limits Claude’s access to notes with specific tags, or “Exclude tags”, which hides selected notes to preserve privacy. This update is particularly useful for those integrating Bear with artificial intelligence companions or external servers, allowing for custom access and greater data protection within the app.