Alph
Universal MCP Server Configuration Manager
What is Alph?
Alph is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to universal mcp server configuration manager
Universal MCP Server Configuration Manager
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Universal MCP Server Configuration Manager
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx alphConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Alph
Alph is a universal MCP server configuration manager delivered as a CLI tool that detects all major AI coding clients on your machine — Gemini CLI, Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf, Codex CLI, and Kiro — and propagates a single MCP server configuration to all of them at once. Instead of manually editing six different config files when you add or update an MCP server, you run 'alph setup' with the server endpoint and Alph handles atomic writes, timestamped backups, and rollback across every detected client. It supports HTTP, SSE, and stdio transports.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18 or later installed on your system
- At least one supported AI client installed (Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Codex CLI, or Kiro)
- The URL or command details of the MCP server you want to configure across clients
- Optional: a Bearer token if your MCP server requires authentication
Install Alph globally via npm
Install the Alph CLI globally so it is available as the 'alph' command. Alternatively use npx to run it without a global install.
npm install -g @aqualia/alph-cli
# Or run without installing:
npx @aqualia/alph-cli@latestCheck which AI clients Alph detects
Run 'alph status' to see which MCP-compatible clients Alph has found on your machine and their current configuration state.
alph statusRun interactive setup
Launch the interactive setup wizard to enter your MCP server details. Alph prompts for endpoint URL, transport type, and optional bearer token, then writes the configuration to all detected clients.
alph setupOr configure non-interactively with flags
Supply all options as command-line flags for scripted or CI environments. Use --dry-run first to preview changes before applying them.
# Preview without writing
alph setup \
--mcp-server-endpoint https://api.example.com/mcp \
--bearer sk-your-key \
--agents cursor,claude \
--dry-run
# Apply to specific agents
alph setup \
--mcp-server-endpoint https://api.example.com/mcp \
--bearer sk-your-key \
--transport http \
--agents cursor,claudeVerify the configuration was applied
Run 'alph status' again to confirm all target clients now have the MCP server configured. Alph creates timestamped backups before any write, so rollback is available if needed.
alph statusAlph Examples
Client configuration output
Example of the MCP server JSON structure that Alph writes into each client's config file.
{
"mcpServers": {
"myserver": {
"url": "https://api.example.com/mcp",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer sk-your-api-key"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
CLI commands illustrating typical Alph usage patterns for managing MCP configurations.
- Run 'alph status' to see all detected AI clients and their MCP configuration
- Run 'alph setup --dry-run' to preview what would be written without making changes
- Run 'alph setup --agents cursor,claude --mcp-server-endpoint http://localhost:3000/mcp' to target specific clients
- Set ALPH_ATOMIC_MODE=rename for safer writes on network filesystems
- Run 'alph setup --transport stdio --mcp-server-endpoint /usr/local/bin/my-mcp-server' for local stdio serversTroubleshooting Alph
Alph does not detect an installed client
Alph looks for clients in their default installation paths across macOS, Linux, and Windows. If you installed a client to a non-standard location, use the --dir flag to point Alph to the correct configuration directory. Run 'alph status' to see what was and was not detected.
Configuration write fails with a permission error
Alph needs write access to the client config directories. On macOS these are typically under ~/Library/Application Support/. Run Alph as your normal user (not root) to avoid permission mismatches. Check that the config directory exists before running setup.
A client's config was corrupted after running Alph
Alph creates timestamped backups before every write. Look in the same directory as the config file for a backup file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json.20260610T120000.bak) and restore it manually. Use --dry-run in future to verify changes before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alph
What is Alph?
Alph is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that universal mcp server configuration manager It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Alph?
Follow the installation instructions on the Alph GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Alph?
Alph works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Alph free to use?
Yes, Alph is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Browse More Developer Tools MCP Servers
Explore all developer tools servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up Alph in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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