MCP ConfigsApr 6, 2026·2 min read

Smithery CLI — MCP Server Registry & Installer

Search, install, and manage MCP servers from Smithery's registry of 6,000+ servers. One command to connect any MCP server to Claude, Cursor, or other AI tools. AGPL-3.0.

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TL;DR
Smithery CLI lets you search and install MCP servers from a registry of 6,000+ integrations.
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What it is

Smithery CLI is a command-line tool for searching, installing, and managing MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers from Smithery's registry. The registry contains thousands of community-contributed MCP servers covering databases, APIs, developer tools, and cloud services.

The tool targets developers who use MCP-compatible AI clients (Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor) and want to quickly add new tool integrations without manual configuration.

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How it saves time or tokens

Manually configuring MCP servers requires finding the right package, setting up environment variables, and editing JSON config files. Smithery CLI automates the entire process: one command searches the registry, installs the server, and configures your MCP client.

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How to use

  1. Install Smithery CLI: npx @smithery/cli (no global install needed).
  2. Search for servers: npx @smithery/cli search postgres.
  3. Install a server: npx @smithery/cli install @smithery/postgres-mcp --client claude.
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Example

# Search the Smithery registry
npx @smithery/cli search 'github'

# Install a server for Claude Code
npx @smithery/cli install @smithery/github-mcp --client claude

# List installed servers
npx @smithery/cli list

# Remove a server
npx @smithery/cli uninstall @smithery/github-mcp
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Related on TokRepo

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Common pitfalls

  • Some MCP servers require environment variables (API keys, database URLs). Smithery prompts for these during installation, but verify they are set correctly if the server fails to start.
  • The registry is community-contributed. Check server quality and maintenance status before relying on it for production workflows.
  • MCP client configuration files differ between Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Cursor. Smithery handles this, but manual edits may override Smithery-managed entries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What MCP clients does Smithery support?+

Smithery CLI supports Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible clients. It automatically writes the correct configuration format for each client.

Is Smithery CLI free?+

Yes. The CLI and the registry are free to use. Individual MCP servers may have their own requirements (like API keys for third-party services) but Smithery itself does not charge.

Can I publish my own MCP server to Smithery?+

Yes. Smithery accepts community contributions. Publish your MCP server as an npm package and submit it to the Smithery registry for others to discover and install.

How does Smithery compare to manual MCP configuration?+

Manual configuration requires editing JSON config files, finding correct package names, and setting environment variables by hand. Smithery automates all of these steps with a single install command.

Does Smithery manage server updates?+

Smithery CLI installs specific versions. To update, re-run the install command which pulls the latest version from the registry. There is no automatic background update mechanism.

Citations (3)
Related on TokRepo
MCP GitHubMCP PostgreSQLFeatured workflows
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Source & Thanks

Created by Smithery AI. Licensed under AGPL-3.0.

smithery-cli — ⭐ 630+

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