SSH MCP Server
About
SSH MCP Server is a local Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes SSH control for Linux and Windows systems, enabling LLMs and other MCP clients to execute shell commands securely via SSH. It provides tools for managing SSH connections and running commands, with support…
Explore
MCP-compliant server exposing SSH capabilities
Execute shell commands on remote Linux and Windows systems
Secure authentication via password or SSH key
Read-only mode with built-in security checks
- Built with TypeScript and the official MCP SDK
Setting up with Highlight
This MCP is not yet compatible with Highlight’s one-click setup. However, you can still use it with Highlight by following these steps:
- Download and install Highlight from highlightai.com/download
- Navigate to the plugins tab and select "Add Custom Plugin"
-
Configure the plugin with the settings below
Plugin Name
SSH MCP ServerCommand (node, npx, python, etc.)Please refer to the README for specific instructions on how to obtain API keys or other required environment variables.
- Enable "Start Automatically" if you want the plugin to start when Highlight launches
From the repository
Create a machines.json file with the following structure:
[
{
"machine_id": "todo-server-01",
"label": "Todo server",
"os": "ubuntu",
"source": "digitalocean",
"ssh": {
"host": "192.168.1.11",
"port": 22,
"username": "user",
"password": "your_password_here"
}
},
{
"machine_id": "build-agent-01",
"label": "CI Build Agent (Key Auth)",
"os": "ubuntu",
"source": "aws",
"ssh": {
"host": "192.168.1.12",
"port": 22,
"username": "ubuntu",
"keyPath": "/home/ubuntu/.ssh/id_rsa"
}
}
]
---
To integrate this MCP server into Claude Desktop, add both the server command and the required environment variable:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ssh-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/path/to/ssh-mcp-server/dist/index.js"
],
"env": {
"MACHINES_PATH": "/path/to/your/machines.json"
}
}
}
}
Now you can interact with your server using natural language, e.g., "Run uptime on Todo VM."
---
get_available_connections
Lists machines available to connect via SSH
create_connection
Opens a new SSH session and tracks it by `connection_id`
get_connections
Lists all active SSH sessions
execute_command
Runs a shell command (unrestricted)
secure_execute_command
Safer command execution; blocks destructive actions
close_connection
Closes an active SSH session
| Tool | Description |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| get_available_connections | Lists machines available to connect via SSH |
| create_connection | Opens a new SSH session and tracks it by connection_id |
| get_connections | Lists all active SSH sessions |
| execute_command | Runs a shell command (unrestricted) |
| secure_execute_command | Safer command execution; blocks destructive actions |
| close_connection | Closes an active SSH session |
---
Claude Desktop / Cursor
Paste into your MCP client config file to install this server.
{
"mcpServers": {
"ssh mcp server": {
"ssh-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/path/to/ssh-mcp-server/dist/index.js"
],
"env": {
"MACHINES_PATH": ""
}
}
}
}
}McpServers
{
"ssh-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/path/to/ssh-mcp-server/dist/index.js"
],
"env": {
"MACHINES_PATH": ""
}
}
}SSH MCP Server is a local Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes SSH control for Linux and Windows systems, enabling LLMs and other MCP clients to execute shell commands securely via SSH.
---
Features
MCP-compliant server exposing SSH capabilities
Execute shell commands on remote Linux and Windows systems
Secure authentication via password or SSH key
Read-only mode with built-in security checks
- Built with TypeScript and the official MCP SDK
Available Tools
| Tool | Description |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| get_available_connections | Lists machines available to connect via SSH |
| create_connection | Opens a new SSH session and tracks it by connection_id |
| get_connections | Lists all active SSH sessions |
| execute_command | Runs a shell command (unrestricted) |
| secure_execute_command | Safer command execution; blocks destructive actions |
| close_connection | Closes an active SSH session |
---
Quick Start
1. Clone the repository
$ git clone https://github.com/vilasone455/ssh-mcp-server.git
2. Create machine config
Create a machines.json file with the following structure:
[
{
"machine_id": "todo-server-01",
"label": "Todo server",
"os": "ubuntu",
"source": "digitalocean",
"ssh": {
"host": "192.168.1.11",
"port": 22,
"username": "user",
"password": "your_password_here"
}
},
{
"machine_id": "build-agent-01",
"label": "CI Build Agent (Key Auth)",
"os": "ubuntu",
"source": "aws",
"ssh": {
"host": "192.168.1.12",
"port": 22,
"username": "ubuntu",
"keyPath": "/home/ubuntu/.ssh/id_rsa"
}
}
]
---
Client Setup (Claude Desktop Example)
To integrate this MCP server into Claude Desktop, add both the server command and the required environment variable:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ssh-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/path/to/ssh-mcp-server/dist/index.js"
],
"env": {
"MACHINES_PATH": "/path/to/your/machines.json"
}
}
}
}
Now you can interact with your server using natural language, e.g., "Run uptime on Todo VM."
---
Disclaimer
Use at your own risk. This server grants shell-level access via MCP. Review commands carefully and run in a secure environment.
---
Contributing
Star the repo, open issues, and submit pull requests! Feedback is welcome.
---
Sign in to leave a review
Use Google, GitHub, or an email account so ratings stay tied to real people.
No reviews posted yet.
