MySQL MCP Server

A Python Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for inspecting and querying MySQL databases from MCP-compatible clients. It provides table discovery, schema inspection, read query execution, DDL lookup, query explanation, and optional write/DDL tools for controlled database administration workflows.

Features

• List tables and describe table schemas

• Execute SELECT queries with safety checks

• Retrieve SHOW CREATE TABLE output

• Explain query execution plans

• Summarize tables and row counts

• Optional write and DDL tools for users who intentionally run with elevated database privileges

Related MCP server: mcp-odbc

Safety Model

mysql_execute_read_query only accepts a single statement beginning with SELECT, rejects common modifying SQL keywords and risky file-read/write forms, and caps returned rows by MYSQL_READ_QUERY_LIMIT. This is a guardrail, not a substitute for database permissions. Use a dedicated read-only MySQL user for safe exploration. The write and DDL tools can modify or destroy data if the configured database user is allowed to do so; keep them on manual approval in your MCP client.

Requirements

• Python 3.11+

• MySQL 5.7+ or MySQL 8.0+

• MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, or another MCP host

Installation

When published to PyPI, install or run the server like a standard Python MCP package:

uvx mdev-mysql-mcp-server

For local development from source:

git clone https://github.com/musaddiq-dev/mysql-mcp-server.git
cd mysql-mcp-server
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e .

Configuration

Copy the example environment file and update it with your database connection details.

cp .env.example .env

Example read-only user:

CREATE USER 'mcp_readonly'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'change-me';
GRANT SELECT ON your_database.* TO 'mcp_readonly'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Running

mdev-mysql-mcp-server

From a local checkout before PyPI publication, run:

python -m mysql_mcp_server.server

MCP Client Configuration

For published installs, prefer uvx. MCP servers using stdio must write protocol messages only to stdout; this server writes logs to stderr through Python logging.

Claude Desktop / Cursor / Windsurf / Cline

Most MCP clients accept this mcpServers JSON shape:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mysql": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["mdev-mysql-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "MYSQL_HOST": "localhost",
        "MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
        "MYSQL_USER": "mcp_readonly",
        "MYSQL_PASSWORD": "change-me",
        "MYSQL_DATABASE": "your_database"
      }
    }
  }
}

For local development from this repository, use the installed console script path instead:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mysql": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/mysql-mcp-server/.venv/bin/mdev-mysql-mcp-server",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "MYSQL_HOST": "localhost",
        "MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
        "MYSQL_USER": "mcp_readonly",
        "MYSQL_PASSWORD": "change-me",
        "MYSQL_DATABASE": "your_database"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code CLI

claude mcp add mysql \
  --env MYSQL_HOST=localhost \
  --env MYSQL_PORT=3306 \
  --env MYSQL_USER=mcp_readonly \
  --env MYSQL_PASSWORD=change-me \
  --env MYSQL_DATABASE=your_database \
  -- uvx mdev-mysql-mcp-server

VS Code MCP

VS Code uses the same command/args/env model in its MCP configuration:

{
  "servers": {
    "mysql": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["mdev-mysql-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "MYSQL_HOST": "localhost",
        "MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
        "MYSQL_USER": "mcp_readonly",
        "MYSQL_PASSWORD": "change-me",
        "MYSQL_DATABASE": "your_database"
      }
    }
  }
}

Tools

Smoke Check

Without a database, verify syntax with:

python -m py_compile src/mysql_mcp_server/server.py

With a configured database, start the server and use your MCP client to call list_tables.

Distribution

This server is published through the standard Python MCP distribution path:

• PyPI package: mdev-mysql-mcp-server

• MCP Registry name: io.github.musaddiq-dev/mysql-mcp-server

• Runtime hint: uvx

• Transport: stdio

The mcp-name marker at the top of this README is required for MCP Registry ownership verification. Users should prefer uvx mdev-mysql-mcp-server in local MCP client configurations.

Security Notes

• Do not commit .env or MCP client configs containing credentials.

• Use least-privilege database users.

• Keep execute_write_query and execute_ddl on explicit manual approval.

• Do not expose this server over an untrusted network without additional authentication and transport security.

License

MIT