# OpenDeviceDB

Check whether a device already has an open firmware or protocol record, then log research through MCP tools. Useful before starting reverse engineering.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 30
- Author: opendevicedb
- License: AGPL-3.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/opendevicedb/opendevicedb/tree/HEAD/packages/mcp
- Updated: 2026-10-18
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/opendevicedb

## What it does

OpenDeviceDB lets an agent search device records by model, vendor, FCC ID, USB identifier and other identifiers. A lookup returns the record status, active claims and a recommendation. Search can also surface the easiest listed firmware or software installation route.

Agents can register work on a device, submit research results and create a request when someone wants a device investigated. Changes go into the local repository; the server reports the Git and pull-request command, but does not run Git itself. Set `ODB_REPO` to enable writes. `ODB_API_URL` provides read-only access. Running the server requires Node 22.18 or later and a repository checkout with `npm install` completed, so publishing results depends on having that local copy.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add opendevicedb -- npx -y @opendevicedb/mcp
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add mcp -- npx -y @opendevicedb/mcp
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@opendevicedb/mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@opendevicedb/mcp"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add mcp npx -y @opendevicedb/mcp
```

## When to use it
- check whether a device has already been researched
- find open firmware by device identifiers
- register work on a device
- add reverse-engineering findings to the catalog
- create a request to investigate a device

## Example prompts
- Check whether Acme X1 has open firmware and summarize its record.
- Search for devices matching `2ca3:001f` and show their installation options.
- Register my BLE control research for Acme X1 and publish the findings in `findings.json`.

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md