How do I install MCPBar MCP Server?

Follow the setup instructions on the MCPBar GitHub repository, then add the server configuration to your AI client.

What category is MCPBar MCP Server?

MCPBar is categorized under Developer Tools. Browse more servers in these categories on MCPgee.

MCPBar

Name: Mcpbar MCP Server
Author: in-fun

v1.0.0•Developer Tools•stable

The CLI manager for MCP servers

mcpmcp-dimcp-marketplacemcp-registrymcp-server

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What is MCPBar?

MCPBar is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to cli manager for mcp servers

The CLI manager for MCP servers

This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.

Features

The CLI manager for MCP servers

Use Cases

Manage MCP servers from the command line.

Discover and install servers from the MCP marketplace.

in-fun

Maintainer

LicenseMIT

Languagetypescript

Versionv1.0.0

UpdatedMay 3, 2026

Statushealthy

Maintenanceactive

Works with

ClaudeOpenAIwindowsmacoslinux

View Source Browse All Servers

Installation

Manual Installation

npx mcpbar

Configuration

Configuration Details

Config File

claude_desktop_config.json

Performance

Response Metrics

Response Time< 200ms

ThroughputMedium

Resource Usage

Memory UsageLow

CPU UsageLow

How to Set Up and Use MCPBar

MCPBar is a CLI manager for MCP servers that combines a package manager-like interface with an open registry of over 1,500 ready-to-use MCP servers. It lets you search, install, remove, list, and start MCP servers from the command line using standardized mcp.json manifest files — similar in concept to package.json but for MCP server configurations. It works cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) and supports multiple MCP clients including Claude Desktop, Cline, Cursor, Windsurf, and Witsy.

Prerequisites

Node.js 18 or higher and npm
Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline, Windsurf, or another supported MCP client installed
Internet access for searching and installing servers from the registry

Install MCPBar globally

Install mcpbar as a global npm package so the 'mcpbar' command is available in your terminal.

npm install -g mcpbar

Search for an MCP server

Use mcpbar search to browse the registry of 1,500+ servers. This opens search results in your browser.

mcpbar search playwright
# Short alias:
mcpbar s playwright

Install an MCP server

Install a server using its package alias, a local manifest file path, or a URL pointing to a mcp.json manifest. MCPBar will prompt you for any required configuration values.

# Install using package alias
mcpbar install 21st-dev/magic-mcp

# Install from a local manifest
mcpbar install ./manifests/github.json

# Install from URL
mcpbar install https://esm.sh/gh/in-fun/mcpbar/registry/21st-dev/magic-mcp.json

List installed servers

View all MCP servers currently configured on your machine.

mcpbar list
# Short alias:
mcpbar ls

Manage your MCP client configuration

Open the config file for a specific MCP client in your default editor, or remove a server you no longer need.

# Edit default (Claude Desktop) config
mcpbar edit

# Edit config for a specific client
mcpbar edit --client cursor

# Remove a server
mcpbar remove playwright

MCPBar Examples

Client configuration

MCPBar itself is a CLI tool, not an MCP server. However, once you install a server via mcpbar, it writes a config like this to your claude_desktop_config.json automatically.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Prompts to try

MCPBar is a CLI tool — these are terminal commands, not AI prompts.

- mcpbar search github
- mcpbar install 21st-dev/magic-mcp
- mcpbar ls
- mcpbar remove magic-mcp
- mcpbar edit --client cursor
- mcpbar start my-installed-server

Troubleshooting MCPBar

mcpbar command not found after npm install -g

Ensure your global npm bin directory is in your PATH. Run 'npm bin -g' to find it (e.g. /usr/local/bin or ~/.npm-global/bin) and add it to your shell's PATH in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc. Then run 'source ~/.zshrc' and retry.

mcpbar install fails to detect my MCP client

MCPBar auto-detects supported clients (Claude, Cline, Cursor, Windsurf, Witsy) based on known config file locations. If your client is not auto-detected, use 'mcpbar edit --client <name>' to manually open the config file and paste in the server JSON. Run 'mcpbar --help' to see the full list of supported client names.

Installed server appears in mcpbar list but not in the MCP client

Fully quit and reopen your MCP client (e.g. Claude Desktop) after installation — config changes are only picked up at startup. If the server still doesn't appear, run 'mcpbar edit' to verify the config file was written correctly and that the JSON is valid.

Frequently Asked Questions about MCPBar

What is MCPBar?

MCPBar is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that cli manager for mcp servers It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.

How do I install MCPBar?

Follow the installation instructions on the MCPBar GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.

Which AI clients work with MCPBar?

MCPBar works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.

Is MCPBar free to use?

Yes, MCPBar is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.

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Explore all developer tools servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.

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Set Up MCPBar in Your Editor

Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.

🖥️

Claude Desktop

macOS & Windows app

⌨️

Claude Code

CLI & terminal

📝

Cursor

AI-first code editor

💻

VS Code

GitHub Copilot MCP

🏄

Windsurf

Codeium AI editor

🔌

Cline

VS Code extension

Quick Config Preview

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcpbar": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcpbar"]
    }
  }
}

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json

Read the full setup guide →

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