# Qiskit MCP Server

An MCP server for inspecting and transpiling quantum circuits with Qiskit. Use it when circuits must be adapted to a target basis or topology.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 41
- Author: Qiskit
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/Qiskit/mcp-servers/tree/HEAD/qiskit-mcp-server
- Updated: 2026-10-08
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/qiskit-mcp-server

## What it does

Qiskit MCP Server accepts circuits in QASM or QPY, inspects their structure, and transpiles them through Qiskit pass managers. Requests can set an optimization level from 0 to 3, choose a basis-gate preset, and provide a linear, ring, grid, or custom coupling map.

Its tools cover circuit analysis, optimization-level comparison, and conversion between OpenQASM 2.0, OpenQASM 3.0, and QPY. QPY output can feed a later operation, which helps chain circuit transformations. The server supports async MCP calls as well as sync use from scripts and Jupyter.

Python 3.10 or newer is required. The `uvx` setup runs `qiskit-mcp-server`, so that requirement matters before you connect it to an agent.

## Requirements
- Needs: Python and uv (commands run via uvx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add qiskit-mcp-server -- uvx qiskit-mcp-server
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from qiskit-mcp-server <command>

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add qiskit-mcp-server -- uvx qiskit-mcp-server
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from qiskit-mcp-server <command>

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "qiskit-mcp-server": {
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "qiskit-mcp-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from qiskit-mcp-server <command>

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "qiskit-mcp-server": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "qiskit-mcp-server"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from qiskit-mcp-server <command>

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add qiskit-mcp-server uvx qiskit-mcp-server
```
uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from qiskit-mcp-server <command>

## When to use it
- transpile a quantum circuit for IBM Heron
- compare optimization levels for one circuit
- inspect circuit depth and two-qubit gates
- convert a circuit between QASM and QPY
- apply a custom qubit coupling topology

## Example prompts
- Transpile this quantum circuit for IBM Heron at optimization level 3.
- Analyze the circuit depth and count its two-qubit gates.
- Compare optimization levels 0 through 3 and report the resulting circuit sizes.

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From the same set: [qiskit/mcp-servers](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/qiskit/mcp-servers.md) — 5 cards

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