ByteChef
Open-source platform that unifies AI agent orchestration and workflow automation — autonomy and precision in one platform.
What is ByteChef?
ByteChef is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to open-source platform that unifies ai agent orchestration and workflow automation — autonomy and precision in one platform.
Open-source platform that unifies AI agent orchestration and workflow automation — autonomy and precision in one platform.
This server falls under the Business Applications category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Open-source platform that unifies AI agent orchestration and
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx bytechefConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use ByteChef
ByteChef is an open-source platform that unifies AI agent orchestration and traditional workflow automation in a single self-hosted solution, providing over 180 pre-built connectors for CRMs, marketing tools, databases, communication platforms, and AI/ML services. It serves as an open-source alternative to Zapier and Make.com with added support for LLM-powered AI agents that can make decisions and take actions autonomously within workflows. Teams use ByteChef to build integration pipelines and autonomous AI agents without vendor lock-in, deploying it with Docker Compose on their own infrastructure.
Prerequisites
- Docker and Docker Compose installed on your server or local machine
- PostgreSQL access (provided automatically via Docker Compose setup)
- At least 2GB of available RAM for the ByteChef container and PostgreSQL
- A modern web browser to access the ByteChef UI at http://localhost:8080
Download the Docker Compose file
Fetch the official Docker Compose configuration file from the ByteChef repository. This file sets up both the ByteChef application and a PostgreSQL database.
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bytechefhq/bytechef/master/docker-compose.ymlStart ByteChef with Docker Compose
Launch all services defined in the compose file. Docker Compose will pull the latest ByteChef image and start PostgreSQL automatically.
docker compose -f docker-compose.yml up -dAccess the ByteChef web interface
Open http://localhost:8080/login in your browser. The first-run wizard will guide you through creating an admin account.
Configure your first integration or AI agent
In the ByteChef UI, create a new workflow. Add a trigger (webhook, schedule, or app event), then add an AI Agent component, select your LLM model, and attach tools from the 180+ available connectors.
Configure as an MCP server
Add ByteChef to your MCP client configuration to expose your ByteChef workflows as MCP tools.
{
"mcpServers": {
"bytechef": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["bytechef"],
"env": {
"BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_URL": "jdbc:postgresql://localhost:5432/bytechef",
"BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_USERNAME": "postgres",
"BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_PASSWORD": "postgres"
}
}
}
}Connect integrations and deploy
Add credentials for the third-party services you want to connect (e.g. Slack, Salesforce, Gmail). Test the workflow, then activate it for production use.
ByteChef Examples
Client configuration
Docker Compose environment variables for a self-hosted ByteChef deployment.
{
"mcpServers": {
"bytechef": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "--rm", "-p", "8080:8080",
"--env", "BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_URL=jdbc:postgresql://postgres:5432/bytechef",
"--env", "BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_USERNAME=postgres",
"--env", "BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_PASSWORD=postgres",
"--env", "BYTECHEF_SECURITY_REMEMBER_ME_KEY=e48612ba1fd46fa7089fe9f5085d8d164b53ffb2",
"docker.bytechef.io/bytechef/bytechef:latest"
]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example tasks you can automate or orchestrate with ByteChef.
- "Create a workflow that sends a Slack message whenever a new lead is added to Salesforce"
- "Build an AI agent that monitors my Gmail inbox and auto-categorizes emails by project"
- "Set up a nightly workflow that pulls sales data from Shopify and updates a Google Sheet"
- "Create an AI agent with access to my CRM and calendar to schedule follow-up meetings automatically"Troubleshooting ByteChef
ByteChef container exits immediately after starting
Check container logs with 'docker logs bytechef'. The most common cause is a database connection error — ensure the PostgreSQL container is running and the BYTECHEF_DATASOURCE_URL hostname matches the postgres container name on the same Docker network.
Cannot access the web UI at localhost:8080
Wait 30-60 seconds for ByteChef to complete its startup sequence (it initializes the database schema on first run). If it's still inaccessible, check 'docker ps' to confirm the container is running and port 8080 is not blocked by a firewall or another process.
Workflow connectors fail to authenticate with third-party services
Each connector requires credentials configured in ByteChef's Connections section. Navigate to Settings > Connections, add your API keys or OAuth credentials for the relevant service, then re-test the workflow component.
Frequently Asked Questions about ByteChef
What is ByteChef?
ByteChef is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that open-source platform that unifies ai agent orchestration and workflow automation — autonomy and precision in one platform. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install ByteChef?
Follow the installation instructions on the ByteChef GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with ByteChef?
ByteChef works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is ByteChef free to use?
Yes, ByteChef is open source and available under the NOASSERTION license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
ByteChef Alternatives — Similar Business Applications Servers
Looking for alternatives to ByteChef? Here are other popular business applications servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
n8n
★ 189.1kA comprehensive MCP server that provides full control over n8n automation workflows through natural language. It offers 43 tools for managing workflows, executions, credentials, and data tables, with safety features like write-mode protection and dou
LobeHub
★ 77.5k🤯 LobeHub is your Chief Agent Operator, organizing your agents into 7×24 operations by hiring, scheduling, and reporting on your entire AI team.
Jeecgboot
★ 46.4kAI 低代码平台，「低代码 + 零代码」双模式驱动：低代码一键生成前后端代码，零代码 5 分钟搭建系统，AI Skills 一句话画流程、设计表单、生成整套系统。内置 AI聊天、知识库、流程编排、MCP插件等，兼容主流大模型。引领「AI 生成 → 在线配置 → 代码生成 → 手工合并->AI修改」开发模式，消除 Java 项目 80% 的重复工作，提效而不失灵活。
CowAgent
★ 44.7kCowAgent (chatgpt-on-wechat) 是基于大模型的超级AI助理，能主动思考和任务规划、访问操作系统和外部资源、创造和执行Skills、通过长期记忆和知识库不断成长，比OpenClaw更轻量和便捷。同时支持微信、飞书、钉钉、企微、QQ、公众号、网页等接入，可选择DeepSeek/OpenAI/Claude/Gemini/ MiniMax/Qwen/GLM/LinkAI，能处理文本、语音、图片和文件，可快速搭建个人AI助理和企业数字员工。
Minds Platform
★ 39.2kPlatform dedicated to building an open foundation for applied Artificial Intelligence, designed for people seeking production-ready AI systems they can truly control, extend and deploy anywhere.
Astrbot
★ 32.8kAI Agent Assistant & development framework that integrates lots of IM platforms, LLMs, plugins and AI feature, and can be your openclaw alternative. ✨
Browse More Business Applications MCP Servers
Explore all business applications servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up ByteChef 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
Ready to use ByteChef?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.