Claude MCP Manager: A Command-Line Tool for Managing AI Application Integration

Overview: What is Claude MCP Manager?

Claude MCP Manager is a command-line tool specifically designed for macOS to define, manage, and switch between different sets of mcpServers configurations (profiles) for the Claude Desktop application. This tool enables users to easily switch between predefined server setups without manually editing configuration files or restarting applications. By storing profiles in a structured directory and leveraging environment variables for sensitive data, it provides a secure and efficient way to manage AI application connections.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

Claude MCP Manager offers several core features that significantly enhance the management of mcpServers configurations:

• Profile Management: Users can create, edit, and switch between named profiles containing lists of server definitions. Profiles are stored in a JSON format, ensuring easy sharing and version control.

• Server Definition Management: Servers can be defined as individual .json files within the servers/ directory. Each file contains details about specific MCP servers, such as their command, args, and environment variables like API keys.

• Secrets Handling via Environment Variables: Sensitive information is stored in a .env file under the project's configuration directory. Server definition files can reference these secrets using placeholders like {{ENV:YOUR_API_KEY}}.

• Backup Mechanism: Before applying a new profile, the current mcpServers block is backed up to a last.json file within the configuration directory. This allows for easy restoration of previous configurations.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

Internally, Claude MCP Manager adheres to the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which provides a standardized way for AI applications like Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor to connect to specific data sources and tools. The protocol enables seamless integration between various AI clients and servers through message-passing mechanisms.

The implementation of the MCP architecture within Claude includes:

• Client-Side Execution: Each server definition triggers a command via npx with specified arguments, allowing dynamic execution on demand.
• Environment Variable Support: By resolving secrets from an environment file, sensitive data is handled securely without risking exposure in plain text.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To get started with Claude MCP Manager, follow these installation steps:

1. Manual Installation:

   • Clone the repository or download the source code.
   • Navigate to the project directory in your terminal.
   • Make the installer executable and run it:

     chmod +x install.sh
     ./install.sh
     

2. Automatic Installation (Recommended):

   • Execute the one-liner script directly from a macOS terminal:

     curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BLTGV/claude-mcp-manager/main/install.sh | sh
     

   • This command checks for prerequisites, copies required files, and sets up the CLI tool.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Claude MCP Manager is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple AI applications need to share or rapidly switch between servers. For example:

• Project Collaboration: In a development environment, different projects may require distinct server setups; profiles can be created and managed to facilitate quick switching.
• Remote Access Management: When working remotely or testing on different machines, predefined server configurations ensure that all necessary connections are established without manual intervention.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

Claude Desktop is fully compatible with the MCP protocol, supporting seamless integration through predefined profile setups. Other clients like Continue and Cursor also benefit from Claude MCP Manager by allowing users to easily manage their server connections:

• Compatibility Matrix:

  MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts
  Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅
  Continue	✅	✅	✅
  Cursor	❌	✅	❌

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

Claude MCP Manager ensures compatibility and performance across a wide range of AI clients. Below is an overview of its current state:

• MCP Protocol Flow Diagram:

  graph TB
      A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
      B --> C[MCP Server]
      C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
      style A fill:#e1f5fe
      style C fill:#f3e5f5
      style D fill:#e8f5e8
  

• MCP Configuration Sample:

  {
    "mcpServers": {
      "[server-name]": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-[name]"],
        "env": {
          "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
        }
      }
    }
  }
  

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

For advanced users, Claude MCP Manager provides robust security and configuration options:

• Secrets Management: Sensitive information can be stored in the .env file to ensure it is not exposed within server definitions.
• Profile Customization: Profiles can be extended with custom scripts or commands as needed.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I switch between profiles?

A1: Use the claude-mcp-manager switch-profile command followed by your profile name. This action will update the current MCP server configuration accordingly.

Q2: Can I version control my profiles and server definitions?

A2: Yes, you can use Git or any other version control system to track changes in your profiles and server configurations easily.

Q3: Is there a way to automate server setup using MCP Manager?

A3: You can script automation tasks by saving common profile setups into templates and then calling them as needed through the CLI interface.

Q4: How do I handle network issues or failures during connections?

A4: The tool includes fault-tolerance mechanisms such as retries and logging. Detailed logs are written to the configuration directory, which helps in diagnosing issues.

Q5: Are there any known limitations when integrating with Cursor?

A5: Currently, Cursor does not support MCP prompts directly; only resources and tools can be managed via MCP. For full integration, consider using Claude Desktop or Continue instead.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

If you are interested in contributing to the development of Claude MCP Manager:

• Clone the Repository: Start by forking or cloning the project repository.
• Run Tests: Ensure that all tests pass before submitting a pull request.
• Document Improvements: Contribute clear and concise documentation alongside your code changes.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

Explore the broader MCP ecosystem to discover more tools, resources, and integrations:

• Documentation Sites: Official MCP protocol documentation provides detailed guides on implementing and managing MCP servers.
• Community Forums: Engage with other developers in community forums dedicated to discussing MCP integration challenges and best practices.

By utilizing Claude MCP Manager, AI application developers can significantly simplify the management of complex server configurations while ensuring secure and efficient connections.