---
name: mcp-inspector
description: MCP Protocol Inspection and Debugging with Inspector CLI
keywords: [mcp, inspector, debugging, protocol, testing, cli]
---
# MCP Inspector Skill
Guidelines for using the MCP Inspector tool in CLI mode for protocol inspection, debugging, and tool listing in a VS Code environment.
## Prerequisites
- Ensure you have Node.js and npx installed.
- Install MCP Inspector: `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --help`
- Build your MCP server (e.g., `bun run build` or equivalent).
## Usage Examples
### List Available Tools
Run the following command in your VS Code terminal:
```bash
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js --method tools/list
```
### Send a Protocol Request (e.g., ping)
```bash
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js --method ping
```
### Debugging and Inspection
- Use Inspector CLI to wrap your MCP server and inspect protocol traffic.
- Example for STDIO server:
```bash
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node build/index.js
```
- For HTTP server:
```bash
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node build/server.js
```
## Tips
- Use Inspector CLI flags for advanced filtering, logging, and output formatting. See Inspector documentation for details.
- Integrate Inspector CLI commands into your VS Code tasks or launch configurations for automated inspection and debugging.
- Use Vitest or your preferred test runner to automate CLI checks (see `tests/inspector.test.ts` for examples).
## References
- [MCP Inspector GitHub](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/inspector)
- [Model Context Protocol Documentation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/)
