mcp-server-restart MCP Server: Seamless Restart for Claude Desktop

Overview: What is mcp-server-restart MCP Server?

The mcp-server-restart package provides a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables seamless restarts for Claude Desktop on macOS. This tool simplifies the process of restarting an AI application by leveraging MCP, allowing users to initiate a graceful shutdown and restart of the application using voice commands or text prompts.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The mcp-server-restart package enhances the capabilities of Claude Desktop by providing a robust solution for system administrators and power users. It includes several core features:

• Graceful Termination: The server safely terminates any existing instance of the application before launching a new one, ensuring no data loss or corruption.
• Progress Notifications: During restarts, it provides notifications to inform the user about the progress, minimizing delays and enhancing user experience.
• JSON Status API: The server exposes an API endpoint (claude://status) that returns the current running status of the application along with relevant metadata such as PID (Process ID) and a timestamp.

Tools Provided

1. restart_claude Tool:
   • Description: This tool restarts the Claude Desktop application.
   • Functionality: It sends a shutdown command to the existing instance, waits for it to terminate, and then launches a new one. Throughout this process, users receive update notifications.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The mcp-server-restart uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP) framework to communicate with Claude Desktop. The protocol ensures that all interactions are standardized and reliable, allowing for seamless integration between different applications.

Mermaid Diagram: MCP Protocol Flow

graph TD
    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

Mermaid Diagram: Data Architecture

graph TD
    A[Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Server]
    B --> C[Data Store]
    C --> D[Tool/Resource]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f0b194
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To integrate mcp-server-restart into your system, follow these steps:

Option 1: Install Both mcp-installer and mcp-server-restart

Edit the Claude Desktop configuration file on macOS to include both packages.

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

Option 2: Install Only mcp-server-restart

Alternatively, if you already have the mcp-installer, enable only the mcp-server-restart package in your configuration.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-server-restart": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-server-restart"
      ]
    }
  }
}

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

The mcp-server-restart has several practical applications:

1. System Stability: Gracefully stopping and restarting a potentially unstable application to ensure smooth operation.
2. Resource Management: Efficiently managing resources by restarting large applications when lower priority tasks are completed.

Example Scenario 1: Reloading Configuration

Imagine you’re using Claude Desktop for data analysis in real-time. Periodically, your data sources need refreshing or reloading. By sending a restart command, the application refreshes its configuration without losing any current session data.

Example Scenario 2: Hotfix Deployment

You might encounter bugs that require an immediate fix but cannot be applied through live updates. A simple restart facilitated by mcp-server-restart can apply these fixes and keep the service running seamlessly.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The mcp-server-restart package is designed to work seamlessly with various Model Context Protocol (MCP) clients, including:

• Claude Desktop

  • Compatibility: Full Support
  • Status: Running smoothly on macOS systems.

• Continue and Cursor

  • Tool: Full Support
  • Resources: Some limitations

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

Here is the compatibility matrix for selected MCP clients:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

MCP Configuration Sample

Below is a sample configuration for mcp-server-restart, demonstrating how to add it to your MCP environment.

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

Ensure that environment variables such as API_KEY are set appropriately to secure your MCP server.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Can I use mcp-server-restart even if I don’t have all the MCP tools?

   • A: While installing both mcp-installer and mcp-server-restart is recommended for full integration, you can still use mcp-server-restart independently.

2. Q: How does mcp-server-restart handle resource constraints during restarts?

   • A: The server carefully manages resources by ensuring that no process exceeds predefined limits and automatically terminates lingering processes to prevent resource leaks.

3. Q: Is there a way for users to manually trigger the restart command without using MCP tools?

   • A: Yes, users can directly use commands like restart_claude in your terminal or integrate it with voice-controlled software to achieve manual triggers.

4. Q: Can this tool work with older versions of Claude Desktop?

   • A: The server is compatible with all supported versions but may require minor adjustments for earlier releases.

5. Q: What kind of progress notifications can I expect during restarts?

   • A: Users receive detailed notifications on the status, indicating when the application stops and starts up again, helping them manage their workflow efficiently.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Community contributions are welcome! If you wish to contribute, please fork this repository, make your changes, and submit a pull request.

Steps for Contribution

1. Fork the Repository:
   • Visit the mcp-server-restart GitHub page and click "Fork" to create a copy in your own GitHub account.
2. Clone the Forked Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/mcp-server-restart.git
   cd mcp-server-restart
   

3. Make Changes:
   • Edit files and modify code as needed to improve functionality.
4. Run Tests:

   pytest
   

5. Create a Pull Request:
   • Commit your changes, push the commits to your fork, then create a pull request on the original repository.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For further information about Model Context Protocol (MCP) and related tools, visit the official documentation and community forums:

• Model Context Protocol Official Docs
• Community Forum

By integrating mcp-server-restart with your AI workflows, you can enhance productivity and streamline operations. Whether you’re a developer or an end-user, this tool offers robust features to manage applications more efficiently.

---

This comprehensive documentation aims to provide clear guidance on using the mcp-server-restart package while emphasizing its integration within the broader MCP ecosystem and AI application management processes.