cfgd — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Declaratively manages workstation setup, dotfiles, and system packages using a GitOps model. Useful for keeping multiple machines aligned with version-controlled YAML.
claude mcp add cfgd -- docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0What cfgd does
The tool defines a workstation state inside YAML specifications, handling packages, dotfiles, environment variables, and settings. With composable profiles that support inheritance, it compares current system state against declared definitions, generates execution plans, and resolves configuration drift.
Reusable modules pick the right package manager for the host operating system automatically. The MCP server runs inside Docker. When invoking automated configuration generation, an ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable is required.
Because the software is currently in Alpha, specifications and behavior can change between releases. Failed task actions get logged and skipped instead of stopping the entire reconciliation run.
What it helps with
- Reconcile dotfiles and machine settings across several workstations
- Bootstrap editor and tool configs inside fresh development containers
- Track configuration drift against declared YAML specifications
- Separate common base settings from machine-specific profiles
Example prompts for the agent
- Inspect the system for drift against the declared profile using
cfgd status - Generate a YAML specification module for a Neovim setup
- Run
cfgd applyto converge local machine settings with the configuration repository
How to install cfgd
Platform CLI
claude mcp add cfgd -- docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0Platform CLI
codex mcp add cfgd -- docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"cfgd": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"cfgd": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add cfgd docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0Step 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 cfgd
How to install cfgd in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add cfgd -- docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/tj-smith47/cfgd:0.12.0. Docker must be installed and running on your system.
What does the cfgd MCP server do?
It provides tools for GitOps-style workstation management, letting assistants inspect, diff, and apply machine state defined in YAML profiles.
What is required to generate configurations automatically?
Running cfgd generate requires setting an active ANTHROPIC_API_KEY in your environment before execution.
