MCP Bash
A framework for building Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers using pure Bash scripts, allowing for the creation of tools, resources, and prompts without Node.js or Python runtimes. It provides a complete implementation of the MCP spec compatible wit
What is MCP Bash?
MCP Bash is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to framework for building model context protocol (mcp) servers using pure bash scripts, allowing for the creation of tools, resources, and prompts without node.js or python runtimes. it provides a comple...
A framework for building Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers using pure Bash scripts, allowing for the creation of tools, resources, and prompts without Node.js or Python runtimes. It provides a complete implementation of the MCP spec compatible wit
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A framework for building Model Context Protocol (MCP) server
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mcp-bashConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use MCP Bash
The mcp-bash framework lets you build fully-featured MCP servers using pure Bash scripts — no Node.js or Python runtime required. It implements the 2025-11-25 MCP specification, supporting tools, resources, prompts, progress streaming, cancellation, and elicitation. Developers use it to expose shell commands, system utilities, and custom scripts to any MCP-compatible AI client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor without shipping a heavyweight runtime.
Prerequisites
- Bash 3.2 or later (standard on macOS, Linux, and WSL)
- jq or gojq installed for full JSON handling (framework falls back to minimal mode without it)
- Homebrew installed on macOS for the recommended install path
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, or the Claude CLI
Install mcp-bash
Install the framework using Homebrew on macOS. Alternatively use the curl installer or clone the repo manually for offline setups.
brew install yaniv-golan/mcp-bash/mcp-bashVerify the installation
Run the built-in doctor command to confirm all prerequisites (Bash version, jq, etc.) are met before creating a project.
mcp-bash doctorCreate a new MCP server project
Scaffold a new project directory with the correct structure for tools, resources, prompts, and server metadata.
mcp-bash new my-mcp-server && cd my-mcp-serverScaffold your first tool
Generate a tool stub inside the project. Edit tools/my-tool/tool.sh to implement your logic and tools/my-tool/tool.meta.json to describe its arguments.
mcp-bash scaffold tool my-toolGenerate client configuration
Let the framework write the correct config snippet for your chosen MCP client. Supported targets include cursor, claude, and vscode.
mcp-bash config --client cursorTest a tool directly
Run a single tool in isolation without starting the full MCP server. Useful for rapid iteration during development.
mcp-bash run-tool my-tool --allow-self --args '{"param":"value"}'Bundle for distribution
Package the project into a single distributable archive that others can install without the full development setup.
mcp-bash bundleMCP Bash Examples
Client configuration
Add the following to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS. Set MCPBASH_TOOL_ALLOWLIST to the specific tool names you want to expose, or use * to allow all tools in trusted environments.
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-bash": {
"command": "/Users/you/.local/bin/mcp-bash",
"env": {
"MCPBASH_PROJECT_ROOT": "/Users/you/my-mcp-server",
"MCPBASH_TOOL_ALLOWLIST": "*",
"MCPBASH_LOG_LEVEL": "info"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Once a project is connected, ask the AI to use the tools you have defined in your Bash scripts.
- "Run the my-tool script with parameter hello and show me the output"
- "List all available tools in the mcp-bash server"
- "Execute the disk-check tool and summarize the results"
- "Run my-tool with a 60-second timeout and verbose logging"Troubleshooting MCP Bash
Tools are not executing — the server returns a 'deny all' error
Set the MCPBASH_TOOL_ALLOWLIST environment variable in your client config. Use a comma-separated list of tool names (e.g. my-tool,check-disk) or '*' to allow all tools. The framework denies all tools by default for security.
mcp-bash doctor reports 'minimal mode' or JSON handling warnings
Install jq with 'brew install jq' (macOS) or 'apt-get install jq' (Linux). Without jq or gojq the framework operates in minimal mode and only supports lifecycle and ping operations.
Project hooks are not running
Hooks in server.d/*.sh are disabled by default. Enable them by adding MCPBASH_ALLOW_PROJECT_HOOKS=true to the env block in your client configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions about MCP Bash
What is MCP Bash?
MCP Bash is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that framework for building model context protocol (mcp) servers using pure bash scripts, allowing for the creation of tools, resources, and prompts without node.js or python runtimes. it provides a complete implementation of the mcp spec compatible wit It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install MCP Bash?
Follow the installation instructions on the MCP Bash GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with MCP Bash?
MCP Bash works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is MCP Bash free to use?
Yes, MCP Bash is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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