McuBuddy — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
MCP server linking AI assistants to physical microcontrollers for hardware debugging, FreeRTOS checks, and Keil firmware builds.
claude mcp add mcubuddy -- uvx McuBuddyWhat McuBuddy does
McuBuddy connects coding assistants to embedded targets over a local stdio channel. It communicates with development boards using ST-Link, J-Link, or CMSIS-DAP hardware probes through pyOCD and probe-rs backends. The core profile exposes 19 tools immediately at launch. Additional feature sets like build_flash, rtos, or logs require explicit activation via the MCUBUDDY_TOOLSETS environment variable.
During diagnosis, the model maps register bits using CMSIS-SVD files and resolves crash addresses to source lines with ELF and DWARF debug data. Automated compilation and flashing of .uvprojx projects depend on UV4.exe, meaning Keil MDK workflows only function on Windows. Halting the target to capture registers stops the CPU, so non-intrusive checks must be requested explicitly if execution cannot pause.
What it helps with
- diagnose HardFault events and stack corruption with ELF symbols
- decode hardware registers using CMSIS-SVD definitions
- inspect FreeRTOS task stacks and runtime context on real hardware
- trigger project builds and downloads via Keil MDK
UV4.exe
Example prompts for the agent
- Find connected debug probes and inspect the state of target py32f030x8 with McuBuddy.
- Analyze the firmware ELF symbols to pinpoint the function causing this HardFault.
- Check the FreeRTOS task list and retrieve runtime output from RTT.
How to install McuBuddy
Platform CLI
claude mcp add mcubuddy -- uvx McuBuddyuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from McuBuddy <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add mcubuddy -- uvx McuBuddyuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from McuBuddy <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcubuddy": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"McuBuddy"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from McuBuddy <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"mcubuddy": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"McuBuddy"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from McuBuddy <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add mcubuddy uvx McuBuddyuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from McuBuddy <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 McuBuddy
How to install McuBuddy in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add mcubuddy -- uvx McuBuddy in your terminal. You must have Python 3.10 or later installed on the system.
What does McuBuddy do?
It translates AI tool calls into hardware debugger operations using pyOCD, J-Link, or probe-rs. This lets assistants read memory, inspect peripherals, and manage UART or RTT log streams.
Can Keil MDK builds run on Linux or macOS?
The build and download tools invoke UV4.exe, making that specific feature set Windows-only. Direct probe interactions and memory checks via pyOCD run across desktop platforms.
