Evernote Hello World

---
name: evernote-hello-world
description: 'Create a minimal working Evernote example.

  Use when starting a new Evernote integration, testing your setup,

  or learning basic Evernote API patterns.

  Trigger with phrases like "evernote hello world", "evernote example",

  "evernote quick start", "simple evernote code", "create first note".

  '
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit
version: 1.13.0
license: MIT
author: Jeremy Longshore <jeremy@intentsolutions.io>
tags:
- saas
- evernote
- api
- testing
compatibility: Designed for Claude Code
---
# Evernote Hello World

## Overview

Create your first Evernote note using the Cloud API, demonstrating ENML format and NoteStore operations.

## Prerequisites

- Completed `evernote-install-auth` setup
- Valid access token (OAuth or Developer Token for sandbox)
- Development environment ready

## Instructions

### Step 1: Create Entry File

Initialize an authenticated Evernote client. Use a Developer Token for sandbox or an OAuth access token for production.

```javascript
// hello-evernote.js
const Evernote = require('evernote');

const client = new Evernote.Client({
  token: process.env.EVERNOTE_ACCESS_TOKEN,
  sandbox: true // false for production
});
```

### Step 2: Understand ENML Format

Evernote uses ENML (Evernote Markup Language), a restricted XHTML subset. Every note must include the XML declaration, DOCTYPE, and `<en-note>` root element. Forbidden elements include `<script>`, `<form>`, `<iframe>`. Only inline styles are allowed (no `class` or `id` attributes).

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE en-note SYSTEM "http://xml.evernote.com/pub/enml2.dtd">
<en-note>
  <h1>Note Title</h1>
  <p>Content goes here</p>
  <en-todo checked="false"/> A task item
</en-note>
```

### Step 3: Create Your First Note

Build ENML content and call `noteStore.createNote()`. The returned object contains the `guid`, `title`, and `created` timestamp.

```javascript
async function createHelloWorldNote() {
  const noteStore = client.getNoteStore();

  const content = `<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE en-note SYSTEM "http://xml.evernote.com/pub/enml2.dtd">
<en-note>
  <h1>Hello from Claude Code!</h1>
  <p>Created at: ${new Date().toISOString()}</p>
</en-note>`;

  const note = new Evernote.Types.Note();
  note.title = 'Hello World - Evernote API';
  note.content = content;

  const createdNote = await noteStore.createNote(note);
  console.log('Note GUID:', createdNote.guid);
  return createdNote;
}
```

### Step 4: List Notebooks and Retrieve Notes

Use `listNotebooks()` to enumerate notebooks and `getNote()` with boolean flags to control what data is returned (content, resources, recognition, alternate data).

```javascript
const noteStore = client.getNoteStore();

// List all notebooks
const notebooks = await noteStore.listNotebooks();
notebooks.forEach(nb => console.log(`- ${nb.name} (${nb.guid})`));

// Retrieve a note with content
const note = await noteStore.getNote(noteGuid, true, false, false, false);
console.log('Title:', note.title);
```

For the complete working example with Python SDK, todo lists, and a combined workflow, see [Implementation Guide](references/implementation-guide.md).

## Output

- Working code file with Evernote client initialization
- Successfully created note in your Evernote account
- Console output with note GUID and confirmation

## Error Handling

| Error | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| `EDAMUserException: BAD_DATA_FORMAT` | Invalid ENML content | Validate against ENML DTD; ensure XML declaration and DOCTYPE |
| `EDAMNotFoundException` | Note or notebook not found | Check GUID is correct and note is not in trash |
| `EDAMSystemException: RATE_LIMIT_REACHED` | Too many requests | Wait for `rateLimitDuration` seconds before retrying |
| `Missing DOCTYPE` | ENML missing required header | Add `<?xml ...?>` and `<!DOCTYPE ...>` before `<en-note>` |

## Resources

- [Creating Notes](https://dev.evernote.com/doc/articles/creating_notes.php)
- [ENML Reference](https://dev.evernote.com/doc/articles/enml.php)
- [Core Concepts](https://dev.evernote.com/doc/articles/core_concepts.php)
- [API Reference](https://dev.evernote.com/doc/reference/)

## Next Steps

Proceed to `evernote-local-dev-loop` for development workflow setup.

## Examples

**Sandbox test**: Create a note using a Developer Token with `sandbox: true`, verify it appears in your sandbox account at `sandbox.evernote.com`.

**Production note**: Switch to OAuth access token, set `sandbox: false`, create a note in a specific notebook using `note.notebookGuid`.