Runbook MCP Server

What is Runbook MCP Server?

Runbook MCP Server lets you execute runbooks—scripted operational procedures or manual test plans—directly from Claude Desktop. It converts markdown or text files into executable workflows that Claude can run using other MCP servers (e.g., GitHub, Slack, Kubernetes).

How to use Runbook MCP Server?

1. Configure Claude Desktop’s claude_desktop_config.json with the uv command pointing to your runbook_server.py.
2. Create runbooks as .md or .txt files; optionally define environment variables in env.yaml and use {env[key]} or {var.name} substitution.
3. In Claude Desktop, click “Attach from MCP”, select get_runbook_as_prompt, enter the runbook name (and any variables), then submit the generated prompt. Claude will coordinate with other MCP servers to execute the steps.

Key features of Runbook MCP Server

• Executes ops runbooks (e.g., deploy a service, upgrade a Kubernetes cluster)
• Runs manual test plans (e.g., create EC2 instance, SSH, run integration tests)
• Supports markdown and plain text runbook formats
• Environment and variable substitution via {env[key]} and {var.name}
• Includes a create_runbook tool for programmatic runbook creation
• Integrates with popular MCP servers (GitHub, Slack, DesktopCommander, web/browser tools, Kubernetes)

Use cases of Runbook MCP Server

• Automate service deployments and rollbacks using Claude Desktop
• Execute Kubernetes cluster upgrades with step‑by‑step validation
• Run QA test plans that require provisioning cloud resources and executing commands
• Trigger Slack notifications based on the outcome of a runbook step
• Combine web searching and browser automation to verify production changes

FAQ from Runbook MCP Server

How do I pass variables to a runbook?

When using the get_runbook_as_prompt tool, provide a comma‑separated list of varName=value pairs. The runbook can reference them as {var.name}.

What file formats are supported for runbooks?

Runbooks can be either markdown (.md) or plain text (.txt) files. Place them in any folder and the server will index them.

Which other MCP servers can I use alongside Runbook MCP Server?

The README lists GitHub, Slack, DesktopCommanderMCP, web search and browser automation MCP servers, and Kubernetes‑specific servers (e.g., mcp-k8s-go).

How do I rebuild the index after updating a runbook file?

If you modify a runbook file, you need to rebuild the index so the server picks up the changes. The README states “Rebuild the index when files are updated” but does not provide a specific tool or command; this is a planned improvement.

Does Runbook MCP Server require any runtime dependencies?

Yes, it requires uv and Python to run the runbook_server.py script. No additional database is needed – runbooks are stored as files on disk.