MCPorter is a TypeScript runtime and command-line tool for discovering and calling Model Context Protocol servers. It is for developers and coding agents that need the same MCP tools from a terminal, a script, or a generated standalone CLI.
Try the CLI without installing it:
npx mcporter --versionInstall it for repeated command-line use:
brew install steipete/tap/mcporter
# or
npm install -g mcporterNode 24 or newer is required for npm installs. For the TypeScript runtime, add mcporter to your project with your package manager. Signed macOS binaries and the other supported install paths are covered in the install guide.
Inspect a public MCP server, then call one of its tools:
npx mcporter list https://mcp.context7.com/mcp --brief
npx mcporter call https://mcp.context7.com/mcp.resolve-library-id \
query="React hooks docs" libraryName=reactThe first command prints the server's TypeScript-style tool signatures. The second returns matching Context7 library IDs without requiring local configuration or credentials. See the five-minute quickstart for resources, generated CLIs, and typed clients.
| Goal | Command or API | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Discover servers and tools | mcporter list | CLI reference |
| Call tools and read resources | mcporter call, mcporter resource | Call syntax |
| Connect to a one-off URL or stdio command | --http-url, --stdio | Ad-hoc servers |
| Complete or seed OAuth | mcporter auth, mcporter vault | Configuration |
| Generate a focused CLI | mcporter generate-cli | CLI generator |
| Generate TypeScript types or clients | mcporter emit-ts | Typed clients |
| Capture a reproducible MCP session | mcporter record, mcporter replay | Record and replay |
Human-readable output goes to stdout by default. Use JSON output when another program or agent needs a stable result, and consult mcporter <command> --help for the flags supported by that command.
MCPorter reads project and user config, then imports MCP servers from Cursor, Claude Code and Desktop, Codex, Windsurf, OpenCode, and VS Code. A minimal config/mcporter.json looks like this:
{
"mcpServers": {
"context7": {
"url": "https://mcp.context7.com/mcp"
}
}
}Config files accept JSONC, environment placeholders, HTTP and stdio definitions, OAuth settings, tool filters, and lifecycle policy. The configuration guide defines precedence and the full schema; the import reference lists every discovered client format.
Use createRuntime() when a process needs explicit server definitions, connection reuse, or several calls:
import{createRuntime}from'mcporter';construntime=awaitcreateRuntime({servers: [{name: 'context7',command: {kind: 'http',url: newURL('https://mcp.context7.com/mcp')}}],});try{console.log((awaitruntime.listTools('context7')).map((tool)=>tool.name));}finally{awaitruntime.close();}callOnce() handles a single configured call and cleanup. createServerProxy() maps MCP tool names to callable camelCase properties and wraps results with text, Markdown, JSON, image, and raw-content helpers. See the runtime overview and tool-calling guide.
MCPorter connects to stdio, Streamable HTTP, and legacy SSE servers. It negotiates the current 2026-07-28 protocol or a legacy revision per server, while legacy connections advertise client elicitation capabilities. Interactive CLI calls can answer form and URL requests; headless and daemon-managed calls decline them with an actionable hint.
The repository's modern and legacy fixture servers cover both generations; CI exercises representative fixture paths end-to-end over stdio and Streamable HTTP. See protocols and interactive requests for negotiation controls and the keep-alive daemon for pooled servers, the MCP bridge, and Chrome DevTools integration.
pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
pnpm check
pnpm test
pnpm docs:siteThe project uses the Node and pnpm versions declared in package.json. Live hosted-server tests are opt-in; see live tests and manual testing.
- CodexBar keeps Codex token windows visible in the macOS menu bar.
- Trimmy flattens multi-line shell snippets for one-shot pasting.
- Oracle bundles prompts and files for multi-model runs.
- Model Context Protocol specification.
MIT — see LICENSE.