# Basic Usage Examples
This document provides examples of how to use the MySQL MCP Server with Cursor IDE.
## Setup
1. Install the package globally:
```bash
npm install -g @ashenud/mcp-mysql-server
```
2. Add to your Cursor MCP configuration:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"mysql": {
"command": "mcp-mysql-server",
"args": []
}
}
}
```
## Example Workflows
### 1. Connect to Database
```json
{
"name": "mysql_connect",
"arguments": {
"host": "localhost",
"port": 3306,
"user": "root",
"password": "your_password",
"database": "myapp"
}
}
```
### 2. List All Databases
```json
{
"name": "mysql_list_databases",
"arguments": {}
}
```
### 3. List Tables in Current Database
```json
{
"name": "mysql_list_tables",
"arguments": {}
}
```
### 4. Get Table Schema
```json
{
"name": "mysql_describe_table",
"arguments": {
"table": "users"
}
}
```
### 5. Execute Queries
#### Simple SELECT
```json
{
"name": "mysql_query",
"arguments": {
"query": "SELECT * FROM users LIMIT 10"
}
}
```
#### Prepared Statement
```json
{
"name": "mysql_query",
"arguments": {
"query": "SELECT * FROM users WHERE age > ? AND city = ?",
"params": ["25", "New York"]
}
}
```
#### INSERT with Prepared Statement
```json
{
"name": "mysql_query",
"arguments": {
"query": "INSERT INTO users (name, email, age) VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
"params": ["John Doe", "john@example.com", "30"]
}
}
```
#### UPDATE with Prepared Statement
```json
{
"name": "mysql_query",
"arguments": {
"query": "UPDATE users SET age = ? WHERE id = ?",
"params": ["31", "123"]
}
}
```
### 6. Disconnect
```json
{
"name": "mysql_disconnect",
"arguments": {}
}
```
## Common Use Cases
### Database Exploration
1. Connect to database
2. List databases
3. List tables
4. Describe table structures
5. Run exploratory queries
### Data Analysis
1. Connect to database
2. Run analytical queries
3. Export results
4. Disconnect
### Development Workflow
1. Connect to development database
2. Test queries
3. Verify schema changes
4. Run migrations
5. Disconnect
## Error Handling
The server provides detailed error messages for:
- Connection failures
- Invalid SQL syntax
- Permission errors
- Network timeouts
- Authentication failures
## Best Practices
1. **Always disconnect** when done
2. **Use prepared statements** for user input
3. **Test queries** before running in production
4. **Use appropriate database permissions**
5. **Monitor connection limits**
6. **Handle errors gracefully**
