MCP Tools
A command-line interface for interacting with MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers using both stdio and HTTP transport.
What is MCP Tools?
MCP Tools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to command-line interface for interacting with mcp (model context protocol) servers using both stdio and http transport.
A command-line interface for interacting with MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers using both stdio and HTTP transport.
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A command-line interface for interacting with MCP (Model Con
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx mcptoolsConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use MCP Tools
MCP Tools (mcp) is a command-line interface written in Go that lets developers interact with any MCP server directly from a terminal — without needing a full AI client. It supports stdio and HTTP transports, providing commands to list tools, resources, and prompts; call individual tools with JSON parameters; open an interactive shell session; and even launch a local browser-based interface. Teams use it to debug MCP servers during development, build automation scripts around MCP capabilities, and test tool responses without involving an LLM.
Prerequisites
- Go 1.21+ (to build from source) or Homebrew on macOS
- An MCP server to connect to (stdio-based or HTTP/SSE endpoint)
- Basic familiarity with JSON for passing tool parameters
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop (optional, for production use)
Install MCP Tools
On macOS install via Homebrew. On Linux or Windows build from source using the Go toolchain.
# macOS
brew tap f/mcptools
brew install mcp
# Linux / Windows (requires Go installed)
go install github.com/f/mcptools/cmd/mcptools@latestList available tools on an MCP server
Run the tools subcommand followed by the command that starts your target MCP server. MCP Tools launches the server as a subprocess and queries its capabilities.
mcp tools npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~Call a specific tool with parameters
Use the call subcommand with --params to pass a JSON object of arguments. The tool name comes first, then the server command.
mcp call read_file --params '{"path":"README.md"}' \
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~Open an interactive shell session
The shell subcommand gives you a persistent REPL where you can call tools interactively without restarting the server process each time.
mcp shell npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~Connect to an HTTP/SSE server
For remote MCP servers served over HTTP, provide the SSE endpoint URL directly. MCP Tools auto-detects the transport from the URL shape.
mcp tools https://my-mcp-server.example.com/sseLaunch the browser-based UI
The web subcommand starts a local web interface for exploring and calling tools visually — useful when sharing access with teammates who prefer a GUI.
mcp web npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~MCP Tools Examples
Client configuration
Example showing how to use mcp as a proxy/guard wrapper around another MCP server inside claude_desktop_config.json.
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem-guarded": {
"command": "mcp",
"args": [
"guard",
"read_file,list_directory",
"npx", "-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/tmp"
]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Terminal commands demonstrating common MCP Tools workflows.
- "mcp tools npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github" — list all GitHub MCP tools
- "mcp call search_repositories --params '{\"query\":\"mcp server\"}' npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github" — search repos
- "mcp resources npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~" — list available file resources
- "mcp mock" — spin up a mock MCP server for testing client codeTroubleshooting MCP Tools
Command not found after Go install
Make sure your Go bin directory is on your PATH. Run `export PATH=$PATH:$(go env GOPATH)/bin` and add it to your shell profile (~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc).
Server subprocess exits immediately with no output
Test the MCP server command in isolation first (e.g. `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~`) to confirm it starts without errors. Some servers require environment variables (e.g. API keys) that must be set in your shell before running mcp.
HTTP/SSE connection times out
Ensure the server URL ends with /sse for SSE transport or is a plain HTTP URL for streamable HTTP. Verify the server is running and accessible, and check for firewall or CORS restrictions if connecting to a remote host.
Frequently Asked Questions about MCP Tools
What is MCP Tools?
MCP Tools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that command-line interface for interacting with mcp (model context protocol) servers using both stdio and http transport. It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install MCP Tools?
Follow the installation instructions on the MCP Tools GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with MCP Tools?
MCP Tools works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is MCP Tools free to use?
Yes, MCP Tools is open source and available under the MIT license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
MCP Tools Alternatives — Similar Developer Tools Servers
Looking for alternatives to MCP Tools? Here are other popular developer tools servers you can use with Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Ecc
★ 188.2kThe agent harness performance optimization system. Skills, instincts, memory, security, and research-first development for Claude Code, Codex, Opencode, Cursor and beyond.
Javaguide
★ 155.8kJava 面试 & 后端通用面试指南，覆盖计算机基础、数据库、分布式、高并发、系统设计与 AI 应用开发
Gemini CLI
★ 104.5kA secure MCP server that wraps the Google Gemini CLI, allowing clients to query Gemini models using local OAuth sessions without requiring an API key. It provides tools for model interaction and diagnostics with built-in protection against command in
Awesome MCP Servers
★ 87.3k⭐ Curated list of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers - tools that extend Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and other MCP clients with custom capabilities.
MCP Servers
★ 86.0kModel Context Protocol Servers
CC Switch
★ 77.5kA cross-platform desktop All-in-One assistant for Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, OpenClaw, Gemini CLI & Hermes Agent. Only official website: ccswitch.io
Browse More Developer Tools MCP Servers
Explore all developer tools servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up MCP Tools 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 MCP Tools?
Browse our complete directory of 33,000+ MCP servers, read setup guides for your editor, and start building with the Model Context Protocol.