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mcp-cli-exec MCP Server

by jakenuts
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mcp-cli-exec MCP Server

A powerful CLI command execution MCP server that enables running shell commands with structured output. This package focuses specifically on command execution functionality, differentiating it from other MCP CLI tools.

Features

Tools

cli-exec-raw

Execute a raw CLI command and return structured output

  • Takes a command string and optional timeout (default: 5 minutes)

  • Returns detailed execution results including stdout, stderr, exit code

  • Handles errors gracefully with structured error responses

cli-exec

Execute one or more CLI commands in a specific working directory

  • Supports single commands, && chained commands, or array of commands

  • All commands execute in the specified working directory

  • Returns detailed results for each command:

    • Success/failure status

    • Exit code

    • stdout and stderr (ANSI codes stripped)

    • Execution duration

    • Working directory

  • Stops on first command failure

  • Optional timeout per command (default: 5 minutes)

Note: Due to execution context limitations, each command runs independently. Directory changes (cd) within commands do not affect subsequent commands. All commands execute in the initially specified working directory.

Output Format

Commands return structured results including:

  • Success/failure status

  • Exit code

  • stdout and stderr (with ANSI codes stripped)

  • Execution duration

  • Working directory

  • Detailed error information if applicable

Example Usage

cli-exec-raw

Simple command execution:

{
  "command": "echo Hello World"
}

With timeout:

{
  "command": "long-running-script.sh",
  "timeout": 300000
}

cli-exec

Single command in specific directory:

{
  "workingDirectory": "/path/to/project",
  "commands": "npm install"
}

Multiple commands (all run in the same working directory):

{
  "workingDirectory": "C:\\project",
  "commands": [
    "dir /b",
    "npm run build"
  ]
}

Related MCP server: MCP Server

Installation

Optionally install from npm:

npm install -g mcp-cli-exec
# or with pnpm
pnpm add -g mcp-cli-exec

Or just use npx in your configuration

For Cline VSCode Extension

Add to %APPDATA%/Code - Insiders/User/globalStorage/rooveterinaryinc.roo-cline/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-cli-exec": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-cli-exec"]
    }
  }
}

For Claude Desktop

Add to the appropriate config file:

Windows: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-cli-exec": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-cli-exec"]
    }
  }
}

Special Windows Configuration

If you encounter the ENOENT spawn npx issue on Windows, use this alternative configuration that specifies the full paths:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-cli-exec": {
      "command": "C:\\Users\\jim\\AppData\\Roaming\\nvm\\v22.1.0\\node.exe",
      "args": [
        "C:\\Users\\jim\\AppData\\Roaming\\npm\\node_modules\\npm\\bin\\npx-cli.js",
        "-y",
        "mcp-cli-exec"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Development

Install dependencies:

pnpm install

Build the server:

pnpm run build

For development with auto-rebuild:

pnpm run watch

Debugging

Since MCP servers communicate over stdio, debugging can be challenging. The MCP Inspector provides helpful debugging tools:

pnpm run inspector

This will provide a URL to access the inspector in your browser, where you can:

  • View all MCP messages

  • Inspect request/response payloads

  • Test tools interactively

  • Monitor server state

Error Handling

The server includes comprehensive error handling:

  • Input validation for all tool parameters

  • Structured error responses

  • Command timeout handling

  • Working directory validation

  • ANSI code stripping for clean output

Technical Details

  • Built with TypeScript and the MCP SDK

  • Uses execa for reliable command execution

  • Default command timeout: 5 minutes

  • Supports Windows and Unix-like systems (use appropriate commands for your OS, e.g., 'dir' vs 'ls')

  • Executes commands sequentially, stopping on first failure

  • Each command runs independently in the specified working directory

Available Tools

2 tools
cli-execC

Execute one or more CLI commands in a specific working directory

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
commandsYesCommands to execute
timeoutNoOptional timeout in milliseconds per command (default: 5 minutes)
workingDirectoryYesWorking directory to execute commands in

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden but only states basic functionality. It doesn't disclose critical behavioral traits like execution safety (potential for destructive commands), authentication needs, error handling, output format, or rate limits. The mention of 'timeout' in the schema isn't reinforced in the description.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence that front-loads the core purpose without unnecessary words. Every element ('Execute', 'CLI commands', 'specific working directory') earns its place, making it optimally concise.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a CLI execution tool with no annotations and no output schema, the description is insufficient. It lacks details on execution behavior (e.g., sequential vs. parallel), error propagation, security implications, or return values, leaving significant gaps for an agent to understand tool usage.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema fully documents all parameters. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what's in the schema, maintaining the baseline score of 3 for adequate coverage through structured data alone.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the action ('Execute') and resource ('CLI commands') with additional context about working directory. It distinguishes from sibling 'cli-exec-raw' by specifying 'in a specific working directory', though the distinction isn't fully explicit about what makes the sibling different.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus the sibling 'cli-exec-raw'. It mentions the working directory context but doesn't explain alternative scenarios, prerequisites, or exclusions for tool selection.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

cli-exec-rawC

Execute a raw CLI command and return structured output

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
commandYesThe CLI command to execute
timeoutNoOptional timeout in milliseconds (default: 5 minutes)

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions the tool executes commands and returns structured output, but fails to address critical behavioral aspects such as security implications, execution environment, error handling, or potential side effects. This is inadequate for a tool that executes arbitrary CLI commands.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is extremely concise and front-loaded in a single sentence that captures the core functionality. Every word earns its place with no wasted text, making it easy for an agent to parse quickly.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the complexity of executing arbitrary CLI commands (which involves security, environment, and side-effect considerations), no annotations, and no output schema, the description is insufficiently complete. It doesn't explain what 'structured output' means, execution constraints, or safety warnings, leaving significant gaps for agent understanding.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with clear parameter descriptions in the schema. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what the schema provides, such as command syntax examples or timeout behavior details. Baseline 3 is appropriate when the schema does the heavy lifting.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'Execute a raw CLI command and return structured output'. It specifies the verb ('execute'), resource ('raw CLI command'), and outcome ('return structured output'). However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate from its sibling 'cli-exec', which likely has similar functionality, preventing a perfect score.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus its sibling 'cli-exec' or other alternatives. It lacks context about appropriate use cases, prerequisites, or exclusions, leaving the agent with minimal direction beyond the basic purpose.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. 2 tool updatesv1.0.0
    • First observedcli-exec
    • First observedcli-exec-raw
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TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Disambiguation2/5

The two tools have significant overlap in purpose, both executing CLI commands. While cli-exec-raw specifies 'raw' and 'structured output', the distinction is subtle and could easily lead to confusion about which to use for basic command execution. The descriptions don't clearly delineate when to choose one over the other.

Naming Consistency4/5

Both tools follow a consistent cli-exec prefix pattern with hyphenated suffixes. The naming is predictable and readable, though the suffix conventions differ slightly (one has no suffix, the other uses '-raw'). This minor deviation keeps it from a perfect score.

Tool Count3/5

With only 2 tools, the server feels thin for a CLI execution domain. While it covers basic execution, more operations like command validation, history tracking, or batch processing might be expected. The count is borderline minimal but functional for core tasks.

Completeness2/5

For a CLI execution server, there are notable gaps. Missing tools for command chaining, environment variable management, output parsing beyond 'structured', or error handling make the surface incomplete. Agents will hit dead ends when needing advanced CLI interactions beyond simple execution.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo issues

Resources

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