MCP SSH Server

What is MCP SSH Server?

MCP SSH Server is a secure SSH server implementation for the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It enables remote command execution and file operations over SSH, supporting both password and key-based authentication. It is intended for developers who need to manage remote servers via MCP.

How to use MCP SSH Server?

Install the npm package mcp-ssh, add it to your Claude desktop configuration, then interact via HTTP POST/GET endpoints on localhost:8889. Use /connect with credentials, /exec for commands, /upload//download for files, /ls for directory listing, and /status for connection state.

Key features of MCP SSH Server

• Secure SSH connection management
• Password and key-based authentication
• Remote command execution
• File upload and download operations
• Directory listing and permission management

Use cases of MCP SSH Server

• Execute commands on a remote server from an MCP client
• Securely upload or download files via SSH
• List and manage remote directories programmatically
• Automate server maintenance tasks through MCP workflows

FAQ from MCP SSH Server

What authentication methods does MCP SSH Server support?

It supports both password authentication and private key authentication (with optional passphrase).

How do I install MCP SSH Server?

Install the npm package globally: npm install mcp-ssh, then configure it in your claude_desktop_config.json under mcpServers.

What environment variables can I configure?

SSH_PORT sets the server port (default 8889). SSH_LOG_LEVEL sets the logging level (default info).

On what transport does MCP SSH Server communicate?

It uses an HTTP REST API on localhost:8889. No WebSocket or other transport is mentioned.

Does MCP SSH Server support bulk file transfers?

Yes, bulk file transfers and progress tracking for file transfers are listed as features.