mcp-tools-cli

What is mcp-tools-cli?

mcp-tools-cli is a command-line client for interacting with Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. It allows users to list available tools on a configured MCP server and call those tools directly from the terminal.

How to use mcp-tools-cli?

Install it via pip install mcp-tools-cli. Create a mcp_config.json file (or use --config-path) with server definitions under mcpServers. Then run commands like mcp-tools-cli list-tools --mcp-name <name> or mcp-tools-cli call-tool --mcp-name <name> --tool-name <tool>.

Key features of mcp-tools-cli

• Lists tools available on any configured MCP server.
• Calls MCP tools with optional JSON or string arguments.
• Supports custom configuration file path via --config-path.
• Provides clear error messages for common issues.
• Works with any MCP server specified in the configuration file.

Use cases of mcp-tools-cli

• Quickly inspect which tools an MCP server offers without custom code.
• Integrate MCP tool calls into shell scripts or automation pipelines.
• Test MCP server endpoints interactively during development.
• Use as a lightweight alternative to a full MCP client when only tool listing and calling are needed.

FAQ from mcp-tools-cli

What configuration file does mcp-tools-cli use?

It uses a JSON file named mcp_config.json by default, which must contain a mcpServers object defining the command, arguments, and environment variables for each MCP server.

What actions can I perform with mcp-tools-cli?

Two actions are available: list-tools to list the tools provided by a given MCP server, and call-tool to invoke a specific tool with optional arguments.

How do I pass arguments to a tool when calling it?

Use the --tool-args option. It accepts a JSON string (e.g., '{"key":"value"}') or a plain string. If the string is not valid JSON, it is automatically passed as the query argument to the tool.

What happens if the MCP server is not defined in the configuration file?

The client prints a ValueError message indicating the MCP server name was not found in the configuration file.

Is a sample configuration provided?

Yes, a sample file mcp_config.sample.json is included in the package, configured for the Time MCP Server. To use it, install mcp-server-time first.