OpenFormatDB — Claude Code MCP server: features and setup
Identify file formats, look up software that can handle them, and check their documentation status. Useful before building a parser from scratch.
claude mcp add openformatdb -- npx -y @openformatdb/mcpWhat OpenFormatDB does
OpenFormatDB covers over 14,000 formats. An agent can submit file signatures, an extension, or a MIME type, then retrieve format records or find open-source conversion paths. For identification, the agent reads the bytes locally and sends the relevant data to the server.
Conversion runs on the machine using tools compiled to WebAssembly. An engine is fetched on its first use and checked against its SHA-256 hash. This is the server’s only network operation, and the original file is never overwritten. Node 22.18 or later is required.
Without a repository checkout, the server reads a static API in read-only mode. With a checkout, it can edit format YAML files and print Git commands for opening a pull request, but it does not run Git itself. Keep that distinction in mind when choosing how to run it.
What it helps with
- identify a file from its signature or extension
- find open-source software that reads a given format
- check a format’s specifications and documentation
- find a conversion route between two formats
- convert a local file while keeping the original intact
Example prompts for the agent
- Identify the format of
archive.binand show the likely matches. - Find open-source tools to convert
image.tifto PNG and report possible data loss. - Check which software reads the
.abcformat and what documentation is available.
How to install OpenFormatDB
Platform CLI
claude mcp add openformatdb -- npx -y @openformatdb/mcpPlatform CLI
codex mcp add mcp -- npx -y @openformatdb/mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@openformatdb/mcp"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@openformatdb/mcp"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add mcp npx -y @openformatdb/mcpStep 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 OpenFormatDB
How do I install OpenFormatDB in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add openformatdb -- npx -y @openformatdb/mcp. The server requires Node 22.18 or later.
What does OpenFormatDB do?
It lets an agent identify file formats, look up software that reads or converts them, and inspect available format documentation. It can also convert local files.
Does OpenFormatDB upload files during conversion?
Conversion runs locally. The network is used only when an engine is first downloaded, and the original file is not overwritten.
