SSH MCP Server

open-session

Open a remote session to run commands: use interactive for a stateful shell that preserves working directory and environment, or background for long-running processes.

Instructions

Open a named session on a remote host. Use type="interactive" for stateful shell (CWD/env persists between commands) or type="background" for long-running processes.

Tool call template

Replace each placeholder with a value matching the input schema. Only required parameters are included; add optional parameters as needed.

{
  "id": 1,
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "arguments": {
      "name": "<name>"
    },
    "name": "open-session"
  }
}

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`name`	Yes	Session name (alphanumeric, dash, underscore, max 64 chars)
`type`	No	Session type	interactive
`command`	No	Command for background sessions
`profile`	No	Profile name (uses default if omitted)

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

First observedv2.19.1Oct 18, 2026

TDQS

A4.1/5.0

Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description adds useful behavior context: interactive sessions preserve CWD/env between commands, and background sessions are for long-running processes. However, with no annotations, it does not disclose lifecycle behavior such as whether sessions persist until explicitly closed, what happens on name collisions, or cleanup requirements.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, no filler, and the core open-session purpose is front-loaded before type guidance. Every sentence earns its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The core semantics are covered, but with no output schema and no annotations, the agent is left guessing about return values, session lifecycle, and how this relates to close-session or run-command. The background command requirement is also not fully clarified.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds meaningful semantics beyond the schema by explaining when to use interactive vs. background and what stateful behavior means. It does not enrich name or profile parameters, but the type clarification is valuable.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description names a specific verb ('Open'), a specific resource ('named session'), and a target ('remote host'). It also distinguishes session types, which differentiates this from siblings like list-sessions, read-session-output, and close-session.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It gives clear choice guidance for the type parameter: interactive for stateful shell, background for long-running processes. It does not explicitly contrast with run-command or close-session, so it stops short of full alternative-based routing.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Deploy Server