MCP Installer

What is mcp-installer

mcp-installer is a convenient server tool developed by anaisbetts, designed to simplify the process of setting up other MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers. By installing mcp-installer, you can effortlessly ask AI assistant Claude to handle the installation of MCP servers hosted in popular package managers such as npm for Node.js and PyPi for Python. This tool is particularly beneficial for users who want to streamline the setup of AI-driven environments without delving into complex installation processes. To function properly, mcp-installer requires npx for Node.js servers and uv for Python servers.

How to Use mcp-installer

To get started with mcp-installer, you need to configure your Claude environment by adding specific settings to your claude_desktop_config.json file. Here's how you can do it:

1. Locate the Configuration File:

   • On macOS, find the file at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude.
   • On Windows, it's located at C:\Users\NAME\AppData\Roaming\Claude.

2. Modify the Configuration: Add the following JSON snippet to your configuration file:

   "mcpServers": {
     "mcp-installer": {
       "command": "npx",
       "args": [
         "@anaisbetts/mcp-installer"
       ]
     }
   }
   

3. Example Prompts: Once configured, you can give Claude commands like:

   • "Hey Claude, install the MCP server named mcp-server-fetch."
   • "Hey Claude, install the @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem package as an MCP server. Use ['/Users/anibetts/Desktop'] for the arguments."
   • "Hi Claude, please install the MCP server at /Users/anibetts/code/mcp-youtube, I'm too lazy to do it myself."
   • "Install the server @modelcontextprotocol/server-github. Set the environment variable GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN to '1234567890'."

These prompts illustrate the flexibility and ease of using mcp-installer to manage server installations.

Key Features of mcp-installer

• Automated Installation: mcp-installer automates the setup of MCP servers, saving time and reducing the complexity involved in manual installations.

• Integration with Claude: Seamlessly integrates with Claude, enabling you to use natural language prompts to manage server installations.

• Support for npm and PyPi: Compatible with popular package managers, allowing installations for both Node.js and Python environments.

• Customizable Commands: Offers the ability to execute custom installation commands and set environment variables as needed.

• User-Friendly Configuration: Simple JSON configuration allows easy setup and usage, even for users with minimal technical expertise.

• Scalable: Suitable for both small-scale setups and larger, more complex environments where multiple MCP servers need to be managed efficiently.

mcp-installer is a powerful tool for anyone looking to leverage the capabilities of the Model Context Protocol without getting bogged down by installation hassles. With its user-friendly approach and robust feature set, it is an essential addition for users looking to optimize their AI environments.