MCP Server Gateway: Bridging Claude Desktop with HTTP/SSE-Based MCP Servers

Overview: What is MCP Server Gateway?

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server Gateway acts as a protocol translator, allowing Claude Desktop App to communicate seamlessly with any HTTP/SSE-based MCP server that currently only supports stdio. Originally designed for Claude Desktop, this solution ensures compatibility by converting stdio input and output into protocol-compatible formats.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The core features of the MCP Server Gateway include:

1. Bidirectional Protocol Translation: Converts stdio-based commands from Claude Desktop to HTTP/SSE-based requests and vice versa.
2. Dynamic Configuration: Allows easy setup and configuration via environment variables, ensuring flexibility in connecting with different MCP servers.
3. Protocol Compatibility: Ensures seamless integration between AI applications that can only handle stdio communication and those using HTTP/SSE.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

Protocol Flow Diagram

The protocol flow works as follows:

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

HTTP/SSE Compatibility Table

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

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

Step 1: Install the Gateway Globally

Install MCP Server Gateway globally using npm:

npm install -g @mcphub/gateway

Step 2: Find the Gateway Path

After installation, find where npm installed the gateway using these commands:

# This shows the root directory of global packages
npm root -g

# The gateway will be located at:
<npm_global_root>/@mcphub/gateway/dist/src/mcphub-gateway.js

Common global package locations include:

• macOS (Homebrew Node): /opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@mcphub/gateway/dist/src/mcphub-gateway.js
• macOS (default): /usr/local/lib/node_modules/@mcphub/gateway/dist/src/mcphub-gateway.js
• Windows: %AppData%\npm\node_modules\@mcphub\gateway\dist\src\mcphub-gateway.js

Verify the installation:

npm list -g @mcphub/gateway

Step 3: Configure Claude Desktop

Update your Claude Desktop configuration file (~/Library/Application Support/Claude Desktop/config.json on macOS) to include this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "server-name": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules/@mcphub/gateway/dist/src/mcphub-gateway.js"]
    }
  }
}

Replace the path in args with your actual path found in step 1.

Step 4: Configure MCP Server Connection

# Set the MCP server URL (optional)
export MCP_SERVER_URL=https://your-mcp-server.com/api/mcp

By default, it connects to the MCP Hub server at https://server.mcphub.ai/api/mcp.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Scenario 1: Real-time Data Processing

Imagine an application using MCP Server Gateway to process real-time data streams. As new data arrives at an HTTP/SSE endpoint, it's translated into stdio commands for Claude Desktop to execute, and the results are then conveyed back through the gateway.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "data-processing-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/mcphub-gateway.js"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Scenario 2: Integrated Knowledge Bases

Another use case involves integrating a large knowledge base with Claude Desktop. By configuring the gateway to connect to an HTTP/SSE API that hosts the knowledge base, users can seamlessly query and retrieve information from Claude Desktop.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

Currently supported MCP clients include:

• Claude Desktop: Full Support
• Continue: Full Support
• Cursor: Tools Only

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

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

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Security Best Practices

• Environment Variables: Use environment variables to manage sensitive information like API keys and server URLs.
• Permissions: Ensure the gateway is run with appropriate permissions to avoid security risks.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Can I use this gateway with other AI applications besides Claude Desktop?

   • A: Yes, while it's primarily designed for Claude Desktop, it can be modified and used with any application that requires stdio-based MCP communication.

2. Q: What are the known limitations of using this gateway?

   • A: While the gateway addresses compatibility gaps between stdio-based applications and HTTP/SSE servers, it may not fully support all features required by certain clients.

3. Q: How can I troubleshoot connection issues?

   • A: Check your environment variables, Node.js version, and the paths specified in your configuration file.

4. Q: Can I use a custom MCP server setup instead of the default one?

   • A: Yes, you can set up a custom MCP server by specifying the MCP_SERVER_URL environment variable or configuring it directly in your Claude Desktop settings.

5. Q: Is this gateway suitable for Production environments?

   • A: Yes, with proper configuration and testing, the gateway can be used in production environments for reliable communication between stdio-based clients and HTTP/SSE servers.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions to improve and expand the functionality are welcome. Please follow these guidelines:

• Use issue tracking for reporting bugs or requesting features.
• Submit Pull Requests with detailed descriptions.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

Explore more about the broader MCP ecosystem at MCPhub, where you'll find resources and tools to enrich your AI development journey.

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This comprehensive documentation highlights the capabilities, installation process, and use cases of the MCP Server Gateway while ensuring it remains closely aligned with the provided README content.