Backlot — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Runs local emulators for enterprise SaaS APIs to test integrations offline without registering developer accounts or managing cloud credentials.
claude mcp add backlot -- uvx backlotWhat Backlot does
Backlot spins up a local HTTP service that mimics external platforms like Slack, GitHub, Jira, Notion, and Gmail. It reproduces authentic vendor response formats alongside real pagination cursors and document-level access permissions.
All state comes from a deterministic SQLite dataset. You switch official vendor SDKs to development mode just by modifying the base URL to http://127.0.0.1:8000. When running as an MCP server via stdio, your Claude Code agent interacts directly with these simulated endpoints.
What it helps with
- test external SaaS integrations without creating vendor accounts
- simulate vendor response schemas and error codes locally
- verify per-document access controls using a deterministic dataset
- execute integration test suites in CI without real credentials or network access
Example prompts for the agent
- Spin up a local Slack instance with an #incidents channel and query conversations.history
- Test our Jira issue ingestion against Backlot to see how it handles pagination
How to install Backlot
Platform CLI
claude mcp add backlot -- uvx backlotuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from backlot <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add backlot -- uvx backlotuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from backlot <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"backlot": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"backlot"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from backlot <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"backlot": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"backlot"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from backlot <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add backlot uvx backlotuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from backlot <command>
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Backlot
How to install Backlot in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add backlot -- uvx backlot in your terminal. You must have uvx installed.
What does Backlot do?
It provides offline replicas of enterprise SaaS APIs, letting coding agents test queries and responses locally using standard SDK contracts.
How does Backlot differ from typical mock dictionaries?
Handwritten fixtures usually cover only predictable success paths. Backlot replicates pagination, error structures, and document ACLs from a unified SQLite corpus.
