Box
A Python server that enables interaction with Box files and folders through the Box API, allowing operations like file search, text extraction, and AI-based querying and data extraction.
What is Box?
Box is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to python server that enables interaction with box files and folders through the box api, allowing operations like file search, text extraction, and ai-based querying and data extraction.
A Python server that enables interaction with Box files and folders through the Box API, allowing operations like file search, text extraction, and AI-based querying and data extraction.
This server falls under the File Systems category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A Python server that enables interaction with Box files and
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mcp-server-boxConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Box
The Box MCP Server is a Python-based MCP server that connects AI assistants directly to Box cloud storage via the Box API, enabling natural-language file operations including search, upload, download, text extraction, and AI-powered document querying. It exposes twelve tool categories covering files, folders, collaborations, metadata, shared links, groups, tasks, and Box AI queries, making it practical for document-heavy workflows where you want Claude to read and reason over Box content without manual exports. The project is community-maintained and complements Box's officially hosted MCP offering.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.10+ and the uv package manager installed
- A Box developer account with an OAuth 2.0 app configured at developer.box.com
- BOX_CLIENT_ID and BOX_CLIENT_SECRET from your Box app's credentials page
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop
- Git to clone the repository
Clone the repository
Clone the mcp-server-box repository and enter the project directory.
git clone https://github.com/box-community/mcp-server-box.git
cd mcp-server-boxInstall dependencies with uv
Use uv to create a virtual environment and install all Python dependencies.
uv syncCreate a Box OAuth 2.0 app
Go to developer.box.com, create a new app using the OAuth 2.0 authentication type, and note the Client ID and Client Secret from the Configuration tab. Set the redirect URL to http://localhost:8080/callback.
Set environment variables
Export the required Box credentials. BOX_REDIRECT_URL must match the redirect URI configured in your Box app.
export BOX_CLIENT_ID=your_client_id
export BOX_CLIENT_SECRET=your_client_secret
export BOX_REDIRECT_URL=http://localhost:8080/callbackAdd to Claude Desktop config
Register the server in claude_desktop_config.json using the uv run command so Claude Desktop can launch it.
{
"mcpServers": {
"box": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "/path/to/mcp-server-box/src/mcp_server_box.py"],
"env": {
"BOX_CLIENT_ID": "your_client_id",
"BOX_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_client_secret",
"BOX_REDIRECT_URL": "http://localhost:8080/callback"
}
}
}
}Authenticate and test
On first use, the server will initiate the OAuth 2.0 flow. Approve access in the browser, then ask Claude to list a folder to confirm connectivity.
Box Examples
Client configuration
claude_desktop_config.json entry that launches the Box MCP server via uv run.
{
"mcpServers": {
"box": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "/path/to/mcp-server-box/src/mcp_server_box.py"],
"env": {
"BOX_CLIENT_ID": "your_client_id",
"BOX_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_client_secret",
"BOX_REDIRECT_URL": "http://localhost:8080/callback"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts that exercise the Box MCP server's file and AI tools.
- "Search my Box for any contracts containing the word 'indemnification'."
- "List all files in my Box folder named 'Q4 Reports'."
- "Extract the text from the PDF named 'annual-review-2024.pdf' in Box."
- "Use Box AI to summarise the key points from the document with ID 12345."
- "Upload this text as a new file called 'meeting-notes.txt' to my Box root folder."Troubleshooting Box
OAuth flow fails with redirect_uri_mismatch
Ensure the BOX_REDIRECT_URL environment variable exactly matches the redirect URI you configured in the Box developer console, including the scheme and path (e.g. http://localhost:8080/callback).
uv command not found
Install uv with `pip install uv` or via the official installer: `curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh`. Then re-run `uv sync` in the project directory.
Box API returns 401 Unauthorized
Verify BOX_CLIENT_ID and BOX_CLIENT_SECRET are correct. If the stored OAuth token has expired, delete any cached token files in the project directory and re-authenticate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Box
What is Box?
Box is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that python server that enables interaction with box files and folders through the box api, allowing operations like file search, text extraction, and ai-based querying and data extraction. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Box?
Follow the installation instructions on the Box GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Box?
Box works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Box free to use?
Yes, Box 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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