About
A DuckDB MCP server
README
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A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation for DuckDB, providing database interaction capabilities through MCP tools. It would be interesting to have LLM analyze it. DuckDB is suitable for local analysis.
Forked from
https://github.com/ktanaka101/mcp-server-duckdb
Overview
This server enables interaction with a DuckDB database through the Model Context Protocol, providing a comprehensive set of tools for database operations including:
- SQL query execution and inspection
- Table management (creation, description, listing)
- Data import from various sources (local files, URLs, S3)
- Data export capabilities
- Schema inspection and table analysis
- Statistical summaries of table contents
The server is designed to work seamlessly with Language Models (LLMs) while maintaining data safety through optional read-only mode.
Components
Resources
Currently, no custom resources are implemented.
Prompts
Currently, no custom prompts are implemented.
Tools
The server implements the following database interaction tools:
query: Execute any SQL query on the DuckDB database
- Input:
query(string) - Any valid DuckDB SQL statement - Output: Query results as text (or success message for operations like CREATE/INSERT)
- Input:
show_tables: Show all tables in the DuckDB database
- Input: No parameters required
- Output: List of table names in the database
describe_table: Describe a table in the DuckDB database
- Input:
table(string) - Name of table to describe - Output: Table schema information
- Input:
inspect_query: Inspect a query in the DuckDB database
- Input:
query(string) - SQL query to inspect - Output: Query inspection results
- Input:
create_table_from_path: Create a table from a file path
- Input:
path(string) - Path to the file to loadtable(string, optional) - Table name to usereplace(boolean, optional) - Whether to replace existing table
- Input:
create_table_from_url: Create a table from a URL
- Input:
url(string) - URL to the file to loadtable(string, optional) - Table name to usereplace(boolean, optional) - Whether to replace existing table
- Input:
create_table_from_s3: Create a table from an S3 path
- Input:
path(string) - S3 path to the file to loadtable(string, optional) - Table name to use
- Input:
create_table_from_csv: Create a table from a CSV file
- Input:
path(string) - Path to the CSV filetable(string, optional) - Table name to usedelimiter(string, optional) - Delimiter to use
- Input:
summarize_table: Get summary statistics for a table
- Input:
table(string) - Name of table to summarize - Output: Statistical summary of the table's contents
- Input:
export_table_to_path: Export a table to a file
- Input:
table(string) - Name of table to exportformat(string, optional) - Format to export as (default: parquet)path(string, optional) - Path to export to
- Input:
smart_load_multiple_csv_files: Load multiple CSV files and intelligently name the tables
- Input:
paths(array of strings) - List of paths to CSV filesdelimiter(string, optional) - Delimiter to use for all CSV files
- Output: Mapping of original table names
- Input:
[!NOTE] While the server provides specialized functions for common operations, it also maintains the unified
queryfunction for maximum flexibility. Modern LLMs can generate appropriate SQL for any database operation (SELECT, CREATE TABLE, JOIN, etc.).
[!NOTE] When the server is running in
readonlymode, DuckDB's native readonly protection is enforced. This ensures that the Language Model (LLM) cannot perform any write operations (CREATE, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), maintaining data integrity and preventing unintended changes.
Configuration
Required Parameters
- db-path (string): Path to the DuckDB database file
- The server will automatically create the database file and parent directories if they don't exist
- If
--readonlyis specified and the database file doesn't exist, the server will fail to start with an error
Optional Parameters
- --readonly: Run server in read-only mode
- Description: When this flag is set, the server operates in read-only mode. This means:
- The DuckDB database will be opened with
read_only=True, preventing any write operations. - If the specified database file does not exist, it will not be created.
- Security Benefit: Prevents the Language Model (LLM) from performing any write operations, ensuring that the database remains unaltered.
- The DuckDB database will be opened with
- Reference: For more details on read-only connections in DuckDB, see the DuckDB Python API documentation.
- Description: When this flag is set, the server operates in read-only mode. This means:
Installation
Installing via Smithery
To install DuckDB Server for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:
npx -y @smithery/cli install duckdbmcp --client claude
Claude Desktop Integration
Configure the MCP server in Claude Desktop's configuration file:
MacOS
Location: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows
Location: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"duckdb": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"duckdbmcp",
"--db-path",
"~/duckdbmcp/data/data.db"
]
}
}
}
- Note:
~/duckdbmcp/data/data.dbshould be replaced with the actual path to the DuckDB database file.
Development
Prerequisites
- Python with
uvpackage manager - DuckDB Python package
- MCP server dependencies
Debugging
Debugging MCP servers can be challenging due to their stdio-based communication. We recommend using the MCP Inspector for the best debugging experience.
Using MCP Inspector
- Install the inspector using npm:
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uv --directory ~/codes/duckdbmcp run duckdbmcp --db-path ~/duckdbmcp/data/data.db
- Open the provided URL in your browser to access the debugging interface
The inspector provides visibility into:
- Request/response communication
- Tool execution
- Server state
- Error messages
Installing Duckdbmcp
This server has no published package — it is built from source. Open the repository and follow its README.
▸ github.com/synehq/mcp-server-duckdbFAQ
Is Duckdbmcp MCP free?
Yes, Duckdbmcp MCP is free — one-click install via Unyly at no cost.
Does Duckdbmcp need an API key?
No, Duckdbmcp runs without API keys or environment variables.
Is Duckdbmcp hosted or self-hosted?
Self-hosted: the server runs locally on your machine via the install command above.
How do I install Duckdbmcp in Claude Desktop, Claude Code or Cursor?
Open Duckdbmcp on unyly.org, pick your client tab (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor) and press Install — the config is generated automatically, no JSON editing.
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