MCP Server: SSH Rails Runner

Overview: What is SSH Rails Runner MCP Server?

SSH Rails Runner is an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server designed to enable secure, remote execution of Ruby on Rails operations through an SSH interface. By leveraging this unique setup, developers and AI applications can interact with a deployed Rails environment from any location, executing both read-only commands and carefully managed mutative operations.

Developers can use the execute_read_only, dry_run_mutate, and execute_mutate tools to perform data analysis, model validation, and other database-related tasks, all while minimizing potential security risks. This server works seamlessly with popular AI applications like Cursor, where users can leverage APIs or integrations to manage their Rails models directly.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

SSH Rails Runner supports several key features that make it a valuable tool for AI applications:

• Remote Rails Console Execution via SSH: Users and applications can execute Ruby on Rails commands from any machine with access to the remote server over an encrypted SSH connection.

• Safe Read-Only Operations: The execute_read_only feature allows developers and AI applications to query and retrieve data without making any permanent changes, ensuring data integrity.

• Dry Run Capability for Mutations: Developers can use the dry_run_mutate tool to plan and validate potential database mutations. This ensures that all proposed changes are safe before they are actually executed.

• Execution of Approved Mutations: Once a mutation is validated through the dry run process, it can be executed using the execute_mutate tool with explicit user approval.

• Resource Management for Code Snippets: The server provides tools to manage code snippets, ensuring that all changes are tracked and controlled securely.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

Model Context Protocol (MCP) Flow Diagram:

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

Data Architecture Diagram (MCP Client Compatibility)

graph TD
    client1(Claude Desktop) -->|MCP Client| protocol2(MCP Protocol)
    client2(Continue) -->|MCP Client| protocol2
    server3[MCP Server: SSH Rails Runner] -->|MCP Protocol| data_source4[Data Source/Tool]
    style client1 fill:#e1f5fe
    style server3 fill:#f3e5f5
    style data_source4 fill:#e8f5e8

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To install SSH Rails Runner, follow these steps:

npm install
npm run build

Once installed, configure the environment variables as follows:

SSH_HOST=your.remote.host
SSH_USER=your_ssh_user
SSH_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH=your_SSH_private_key_path
RAILS_WORKING_DIR=/path/to/rails/app

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Real-World Scenario 1: Data Analysis and Validation

Imagine you are working on a machine learning project that depends heavily on data accuracy. Using SSH Rails Runner, you can write queries to extract specific data points from your database for analysis. With Cursor, an AI application like Claude Desktop, you can set up read-only operations to ensure data integrity while performing complex analyses.

Real-World Scenario 2: Model Validation and Optimization

Suppose you need to optimize a machine learning model by tweaking its parameters. You can use the dry_run_mutate tool to apply proposed changes without actually affecting your production environment. Once validated, these changes can be safely applied using execute_mutate, ensuring that all modifications are thoroughly tested.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

SSH Rails Runner is compatible with several MCP clients:

• Claude Desktop: Full support for read-only operations and mutation planning.
• Continue: Integrated support for execute-only operations.
• Cursor: Limited integration; full support for code mutations only.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

MCP Client	Resources (Read)	Tools (Mutate)	Prompts (Execution)	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

MCP Configuration Sample

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ssh-rails-runner": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-ssh-rails-runner"],
      "env": {
        "SSH_HOST": "your.remote.host",
        "SSH_USER": "your_ssh_user",
        "SSH_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH": "your_SSH_private_key_path",
        "RAILS_WORKING_DIR": "/path/to/rails/app/root"
      }
    }
  }
}

Security Considerations

• Trusted SSH Endpoints: Only use this server with trusted SSH endpoints from your own machine.
• Review Mutations: Always review proposed mutations before execution to ensure data integrity and security.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does the execute_read_only tool work?

   • The execute_read_only feature runs Ruby on Rails console commands in a safe, non-mutative manner. This ensures that you can query your database for any necessary data without causing unintended side effects.

2. What is the purpose of the dry_run_mutate feature?

   • The dry_run_mutate tool allows developers to plan and validate potential mutations before applying them in a live environment. This helps prevent errors and ensures that only safe changes are made.

3. Can I use this server with other AI applications besides Cursor?

   • Yes, SSH Rails Runner supports multiple MCP clients, including Claude Desktop and Continue. These clients offer varying degrees of integration depending on their specific needs.

4. How do I handle database mutations securely?

   • Mutations are only executed after thorough planning and validation using the dry_run_mutate tool. Once validated, explicit user approval is required for execution.

5. What happens if an error occurs during execution?

   • In the event of an error, SSH Rails Runner will provide detailed error messages to help diagnose issues. This ensures that you can quickly address any problems and maintain a secure environment.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

If you are interested in contributing to this project, please follow these guidelines:

1. Setup: Clone the repository and install dependencies as described above.
2. Contributing Code: Feel free to submit pull requests for bug fixes or new features.
3. Documentation: Enhance existing documentation or add new sections to make it more comprehensive.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

Explore the broader MCP ecosystem by visiting:

• MCP Protocol Documentation
• Cursor AI Application

By leveraging SSH Rails Runner, developers and AI applications can enhance their workflows with secure, efficient, and well-integrated tools.