mcp-ssh-manager — Claude Code MCP server: install
This MCP server lets an agent work with SSH connections, remote commands, files, and databases. Per-server access modes limit what it can do.
claude mcp add --env SSH_CONFIG_PATH=<SSH_CONFIG_PATH> --env SSH_ENV_PATH=<SSH_ENV_PATH> --transport stdio mcp-ssh-manager -- npx -y mcp-ssh-managerWhat mcp-ssh-manager does
mcp-ssh-manager connects Claude Code to multiple SSH servers. An agent can run remote commands, transfer files, work with databases, create backups, check server health, and handle DevOps tasks from the assistant.
Each server can use unrestricted, readonly, or restricted access. readonly refuses mutating tools, while restricted accepts only commands that match an allow pattern and avoid a deny pattern. Database queries are limited to read-only SELECT operations, and a changed host key is refused.
unrestricted is the default, so set an explicit boundary for a production server. Claude Code installs it with npx; SSH_CONFIG_PATH and SSH_ENV_PATH can be passed when the SSH configuration uses specific paths.
What it helps with
- run commands on remote SSH servers
- transfer files to and from a server
- check remote server health
- create backups over SSH
- run read-only database queries
Example prompts for the agent
- Check the remote server health and report any problems.
- Transfer this file to the SSH server and verify the result.
- Run a read-only database query without changing any data.
How to install mcp-ssh-manager
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env SSH_CONFIG_PATH=<SSH_CONFIG_PATH> --env SSH_ENV_PATH=<SSH_ENV_PATH> --transport stdio mcp-ssh-manager -- npx -y mcp-ssh-managerReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add mcp-ssh-manager --env SSH_CONFIG_PATH=<SSH_CONFIG_PATH> --env SSH_ENV_PATH=<SSH_ENV_PATH> -- npx -y mcp-ssh-managerReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp-ssh-manager": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-ssh-manager"
],
"env": {
"SSH_CONFIG_PATH": "<SSH_CONFIG_PATH>",
"SSH_ENV_PATH": "<SSH_ENV_PATH>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"mcp-ssh-manager": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-ssh-manager"
],
"env": {
"SSH_CONFIG_PATH": "<SSH_CONFIG_PATH>",
"SSH_ENV_PATH": "<SSH_ENV_PATH>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e SSH_CONFIG_PATH=<SSH_CONFIG_PATH> -e SSH_ENV_PATH=<SSH_ENV_PATH> mcp-ssh-manager npx -y mcp-ssh-managerReplace <…> with your own values
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 mcp-ssh-manager
How do I install mcp-ssh-manager in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add mcp-ssh-manager -- npx -y mcp-ssh-manager. This adds the MCP server to Claude Code.
What does mcp-ssh-manager do?
It gives an agent access to multiple SSH connections for remote commands, file transfers, database work, backups, and server health checks.
Which access modes does mcp-ssh-manager provide?
unrestricted allows all operations and is the default. readonly blocks mutating tools, while restricted allows only commands that match configured allow patterns and avoid deny patterns.
