ncp — Claude Code MCP server: features and setup
ncp gives connected MCP tools a shared interface and finds capabilities on request. It helps when an agent has many tools to choose from.
claude mcp add --env NCP_DEBUG=<NCP_DEBUG> --env NCP_MODE=<NCP_MODE> --env NO_COLOR=<NO_COLOR> --transport stdio ncp -- npx -y @portel/ncpWhat ncp does
Use find to discover tools, skills, and Photons, then run the capability that fits the task. With code mode, the agent can execute TypeScript and combine several actions in one workflow. Code mode is enabled by default; when it is off, tools run individually through run.
ncp also supports scheduled tasks and on-demand discovery. The host decides which extensions it can use: clients without MCP Apps, Skills, or Tasks support can still use the core tools and existing request flows. Available features therefore depend on the MCP client.
What it helps with
- find a suitable tool across connected MCP servers
- combine tool calls in a TypeScript workflow
- discover a relevant skill or Photon
- keep every tool schema from loading at the start
Example prompts for the agent
- Find a tool that can read this file, then use it.
- Run a TypeScript workflow that creates an issue with the connected GitHub tool.
- Find a skill for working with PDFs and apply it to this document.
How to install ncp
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env NCP_DEBUG=<NCP_DEBUG> --env NCP_MODE=<NCP_MODE> --env NO_COLOR=<NO_COLOR> --transport stdio ncp -- npx -y @portel/ncpReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add ncp --env NCP_DEBUG=<NCP_DEBUG> --env NCP_MODE=<NCP_MODE> --env NO_COLOR=<NO_COLOR> -- npx -y @portel/ncpReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"ncp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@portel/ncp"
],
"env": {
"NCP_DEBUG": "<NCP_DEBUG>",
"NCP_MODE": "<NCP_MODE>",
"NO_COLOR": "<NO_COLOR>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"ncp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@portel/ncp"
],
"env": {
"NCP_DEBUG": "<NCP_DEBUG>",
"NCP_MODE": "<NCP_MODE>",
"NO_COLOR": "<NO_COLOR>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e NCP_DEBUG=<NCP_DEBUG> -e NCP_MODE=<NCP_MODE> -e NO_COLOR=<NO_COLOR> ncp npx -y @portel/ncpReplace <…> 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 ncp
How do I install ncp in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add ncp -- npx -y @portel/ncp. Use the separate setup command if you need to configure environment variables.
What does ncp do?
It provides a shared way to discover and run tools, skills, and Photons. It also supports TypeScript execution and scheduled tasks.
Can ncp work with clients that lack MCP Apps, Skills, or Tasks support?
Yes. Those clients can continue using the core tools and existing request flows. Extension support depends on the host.
