MCP Servers

PocketPaw has first-class support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Connect any MCP server to extend your agent’s capabilities.

What is MCP?

MCP is an open protocol that allows AI agents to connect to external tools and data sources. MCP servers provide tools that the agent can call, similar to built-in tools but running as separate processes.

Configuration

MCP servers are configured in ~/.pocketclaw/mcp.json:

{
  "servers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/home/user"],
      "transport": "stdio"
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "ghp_..."
      },
      "transport": "stdio"
    },
    "remote-api": {
      "url": "http://localhost:3000/mcp",
      "transport": "http"
    }
  }
}

Transport Types

stdio

The most common transport. PocketPaw spawns the MCP server as a subprocess and communicates via stdin/stdout:

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path"],
  "transport": "stdio"
}

HTTP

For remote MCP servers accessible via HTTP:

{
  "url": "http://localhost:3000/mcp",
  "transport": "http"
}

Backend Integration

Claude Agent SDK

The Claude Agent SDK has native MCP support. PocketPaw translates mcp.json configurations into the SDK’s expected format and passes them during initialization.

PocketPaw Native

The native backend loads MCP tools via _get_mcp_tools() and registers them with the tool registry using the naming convention mcp_<server>__<tool>.

Dashboard Management

The web dashboard provides a visual interface for managing MCP servers:

1. Open the MCP modal from the sidebar
2. Add new servers with command, args, and environment variables
3. Toggle individual servers on/off
4. View discovered tools from each server

REST API

Tool Policy

MCP tools are subject to the tool policy system:

# Allow all MCP tools
export POCKETCLAW_TOOLS_ALLOW="group:mcp"

# Allow specific server's tools
export POCKETCLAW_TOOLS_ALLOW="mcp:filesystem:*"

# Deny a specific tool
export POCKETCLAW_TOOLS_DENY="mcp:github:delete_repo"

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