packet-tracer-mcp — Claude Code MCP server: setup
Controls Cisco Packet Tracer 9 through MCP, creating topologies, configuring routers, and running simulations from an AI coding client.
claude mcp add --env BRIDGE_PORT=<BRIDGE_PORT> --transport stdio packet-tracer-mcp -- npx -y packet-tracer-mcpWhat packet-tracer-mcp does
packet-tracer-mcp connects an MCP client to Cisco Packet Tracer 9. An agent can create network layouts, place devices, wire links, and send commands to router consoles. The listed scenarios cover IOS, OSPF, BGP, NAT, VLAN, VoIP, QoS, IPv6, and wireless networking.
The integration uses an MCP server, the mcp-bridge.pts Packet Tracer extension, and a local HTTP bridge. The extension forwards requests to Packet Tracer’s native IPC API. The server is written in TypeScript and runs with Bun, with HTTP and stdio modes available.
You need Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0, Bun >=1.2, and an active mcp-bridge.pts extension. This is an experimental project, so a Packet Tracer update can change its API and break the connection.
What it helps with
- build a topology in Cisco Packet Tracer
- place devices and connect them
- configure routers through IOS
- run a network simulation from an agent
- check the Packet Tracer bridge status
Example prompts for the agent
- Create a Packet Tracer topology with two routers and configure OSPF between them.
- Add a VLAN and set up NAT on the router through IOS.
- Check the Packet Tracer connection and report the bridge status.
How to install packet-tracer-mcp
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env BRIDGE_PORT=<BRIDGE_PORT> --transport stdio packet-tracer-mcp -- npx -y packet-tracer-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add packet-tracer-mcp --env BRIDGE_PORT=<BRIDGE_PORT> -- npx -y packet-tracer-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"packet-tracer-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"packet-tracer-mcp"
],
"env": {
"BRIDGE_PORT": "<BRIDGE_PORT>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"packet-tracer-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"packet-tracer-mcp"
],
"env": {
"BRIDGE_PORT": "<BRIDGE_PORT>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e BRIDGE_PORT=<BRIDGE_PORT> packet-tracer-mcp npx -y packet-tracer-mcpReplace <…> 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 packet-tracer-mcp
How do I install packet-tracer-mcp in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add packet-tracer-mcp -- npx -y packet-tracer-mcp.
What does packet-tracer-mcp do?
It links an MCP client with Cisco Packet Tracer 9 so an agent can create topologies, modify device settings, and run simulations.
What does packet-tracer-mcp require?
It requires Cisco Packet Tracer 9.0, Bun >=1.2, and an active mcp-bridge.pts extension.
