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# CLI Tools
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Command-line interface for MCP development, testing, and debugging. The MCP CLI provides tools for server inspection, client testing, and protocol validation to streamline MCP development workflows.
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## Capabilities
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### CLI Application
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Main command-line interface built with Typer for MCP operations.
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```python { .api }
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app: typer.Typer
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```
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### Available Commands
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Core CLI commands for MCP development and server management.
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```bash { .api }
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# Display help information
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mcp --help
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# Show MCP version
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mcp version
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# Development mode - run server with MCP Inspector
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mcp dev <file-spec> [--with-editable DIR] [--with PACKAGES]
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# Run MCP server directly  
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mcp run <file-spec> [--transport stdio|sse]
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# Install MCP server in Claude desktop app
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mcp install <file-spec> [--name NAME] [--with-editable DIR] [--with PACKAGES] [--env-var KEY=VALUE] [--env-file FILE]
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```
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## Usage Examples
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### Version Information
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Display MCP version and help information.
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```bash
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# Show MCP version
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mcp version
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# Show help for all commands
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mcp --help
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```
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### Development Mode
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Run MCP servers with the MCP Inspector for development and testing.
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```bash
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# Run server in development mode with Inspector
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mcp dev server.py
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# Run server with additional dependencies
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mcp dev server.py --with requests --with pandas
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# Run server with editable project installation  
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mcp dev server.py:app --with-editable /path/to/project
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```
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### Direct Server Execution
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Run MCP servers directly without additional tooling.
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```bash
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# Run server using stdio transport (default)
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mcp run server.py
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# Run server with specific transport
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mcp run server.py --transport sse
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# Run specific server object from module
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mcp run server.py:app --transport stdio
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```
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### Claude Desktop Integration
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Install MCP servers for use with Claude Desktop application.
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```bash
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# Install basic server
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mcp install server.py
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# Install server with custom name
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mcp install server.py --name "My MCP Server"
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# Install with environment variables
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mcp install server.py --env-var "API_KEY=your-key" --env-var "DEBUG=true"
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# Install with .env file
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mcp install server.py --env-file .env
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# Install with additional packages and editable mode
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mcp install server.py --with requests --with-editable /path/to/project
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```
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## Command Reference
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Each CLI command accepts a file specification in the format `file.py` or `file.py:object` where:
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- `file.py` - Runs the module directly (expects `server.run()` call)
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- `file.py:object` - Imports and runs the specified server object
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Common options:
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- `--with PACKAGE` - Install additional Python packages
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- `--with-editable DIR` - Install directory in editable mode
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- `--env-var KEY=VALUE` - Set environment variables  
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- `--env-file FILE` - Load environment variables from file