MCP SSH Manager
Enables Claude to manage multiple SSH connections, execute remote commands, and transfer files across servers. Supports secure authentication, default directories, sudo operations, and deployment automation with profiles for different project types.
What is MCP SSH Manager?
MCP SSH Manager is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to enables claude to manage multiple ssh connections, execute remote commands, and transfer files across servers. supports secure authentication, default directories, sudo operations, and deployment auto...
Enables Claude to manage multiple SSH connections, execute remote commands, and transfer files across servers. Supports secure authentication, default directories, sudo operations, and deployment automation with profiles for different project types.
This server falls under the Cloud Services category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Enables Claude to manage multiple SSH connections, execute r
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y mcp-ssh-managerManual Installation
npx -y mcp-ssh-managerConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use MCP SSH Manager
MCP SSH Manager enables AI agents to manage multiple SSH connections, execute remote commands, transfer files, monitor server health, and automate deployments across Linux and Windows servers through the Model Context Protocol. It exposes 37 tools organized into six functional groups covering command execution, file operations via rsync, database operations (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB), health monitoring, backup scheduling, and SSH tunnel management. It supports key-based and password authentication, per-server security modes, jump hosts for bastion access, and JSONL audit trails, making it suitable for DevOps teams using Claude for infrastructure automation.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18 or newer
- SSH access to target servers (key-based or password authentication configured)
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop or Claude Code
- rsync installed on target servers for file sync operations
- Optional: MySQL/PostgreSQL/MongoDB client tools on target servers for database operations
Install the package globally via npm
Install mcp-ssh-manager from npm. This makes the server available system-wide for any MCP client.
npm install -g mcp-ssh-managerDefine SSH server connections using environment variables
Configure each server using the SSH_SERVER_[NAME]_* variable pattern. Replace [NAME] with a unique identifier for the server (e.g., PROD, STAGING). All variables for a server share the same name prefix.
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_HOST=192.168.1.100
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_USER=deploy
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_KEYPATH=/home/user/.ssh/id_rsa
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_PORT=22
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_DEFAULT_DIR=/var/www/app
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_MODE=unrestrictedAdd the server to your MCP client configuration
Add mcp-ssh-manager to your Claude Desktop or Claude Code configuration, passing the environment variables in the env block.
{
"mcpServers": {
"ssh-manager": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "mcp-ssh-manager"],
"env": {
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_HOST": "192.168.1.100",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_USER": "deploy",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_KEYPATH": "/home/user/.ssh/id_rsa",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_DEFAULT_DIR": "/var/www/app",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_MODE": "unrestricted"
}
}
}
}Add to Claude Code using the CLI
Alternatively, register the server directly with Claude Code's MCP management command.
claude mcp add ssh-manager npx -y mcp-ssh-managerTest the connection by listing servers
Ask your MCP client to list configured SSH servers. This confirms the server is running and has read the environment variables correctly.
Enable audit logging for production use
Set the AUDIT_LOG variable for any server that requires an audit trail. Commands executed through MCP will be logged to the specified JSONL file.
export SSH_SERVER_PROD_AUDIT_LOG=/var/log/mcp-ssh-audit.jsonlMCP SSH Manager Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration with two servers (production and staging) using different security modes.
{
"mcpServers": {
"ssh-manager": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "mcp-ssh-manager"],
"env": {
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_HOST": "prod.example.com",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_USER": "deploy",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_KEYPATH": "/Users/you/.ssh/prod_rsa",
"SSH_SERVER_PROD_MODE": "restricted",
"SSH_SERVER_STAGING_HOST": "staging.example.com",
"SSH_SERVER_STAGING_USER": "deploy",
"SSH_SERVER_STAGING_KEYPATH": "/Users/you/.ssh/staging_rsa",
"SSH_SERVER_STAGING_MODE": "unrestricted"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
These prompts work once at least one SSH server is configured and the MCP server is connected.
- "List all my configured SSH servers and their status"
- "Execute 'docker ps' on the production server and show running containers"
- "Upload ./dist/app.tar.gz to staging:/tmp/ and extract it"
- "Check CPU, memory, and disk usage on all servers"
- "Create a MySQL backup of the 'shopdb' database on production before deployment"
- "Open an SSH tunnel from local port 5432 to production PostgreSQL"Troubleshooting MCP SSH Manager
Connection refused or timeout when connecting to a server
Verify SSH_SERVER_[NAME]_HOST and SSH_SERVER_[NAME]_PORT are correct and that the server's firewall allows SSH on that port. Test connectivity manually with 'ssh -i /path/to/key user@host' before using MCP.
Key authentication fails with 'Permission denied (publickey)'
Ensure SSH_SERVER_[NAME]_KEYPATH points to the private key file (not the .pub file) and that the corresponding public key is in ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on the remote server. Check file permissions: the private key must be chmod 600.
Readonly or restricted mode blocks commands unexpectedly
Check SSH_SERVER_[NAME]_MODE. 'readonly' blocks all mutating commands; 'restricted' requires an allowlist. Change MODE to 'unrestricted' for full access, or review the allowlist configuration for 'restricted' mode to add the blocked commands.
Frequently Asked Questions about MCP SSH Manager
What is MCP SSH Manager?
MCP SSH Manager is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables claude to manage multiple ssh connections, execute remote commands, and transfer files across servers. supports secure authentication, default directories, sudo operations, and deployment automation with profiles for different project types. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install MCP SSH Manager?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y mcp-ssh-manager. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with MCP SSH Manager?
MCP SSH Manager works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is MCP SSH Manager free to use?
Yes, MCP SSH Manager 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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