Developer Tools
Shell MCP
Run shell commands through MCP. Execute any CLI tool, script, or system command. Dangerous but powerful — use with auto-approve caution.
100% Pass 🏆Free to Test 🆓Tested 📅
100% (5/5 tasks)View on GitHubby matildepark-hdr
README badge
[](https://mcpselect.com/servers/shell-mcp/)
Benchmark results
Pass Rate100% (5/5 tasks)
100%(5 tasks)
Speed118ms p50118ms p50
Tested OnJun 8, 20261 tools found
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tools discovered | 1 tools found |
| Scope | Local only |
| Pricing | Free |
| Auth requirement | None. Free to test |
| Verdict | 100% pass rate on 5 tasks |
Install config
Claude Desktop (macOS)
{"mcpServers": {"shell": {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-shell@latest"]}}}Cursor
{"mcpServers": {"shell": {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "mcp-shell@latest"]}}}VS Code
// .vscode/mcp.json
{
"servers": {
"shell": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "mcp-shell@latest"]
}
}
}Pros
- +Server starts successfully
- +Tools are discoverable
Cons
Best for
Running build scripts, package managers, git commands, system administration
Related servers in Developer Tools
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Shell MCP?▼
Copy the config above into your AI assistant's MCP settings file:
- Claude Desktop:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Cursor: Settings → MCP → Add Server
- VS Code:
.vscode/mcp.json
Does it require an API key?▼
No. Shell MCP is free to test. No API key or signup required. We tested it independently.
How were these results measured?▼
We run each server through a standardized test harness that:
- Installs the server via
npxin a fresh environment - Discovers available tools using the MCP SDK
- Executes real tasks (navigate, click, screenshot, etc.)
- Validates outputs with semantic assertions (not string matching)
- Measures latency percentiles and pass rate
All test scripts are open source on GitHub.