SSH & Serial port access for MCP-compatible clients

Installation • Features • Usage

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An MCP server providing SSH and UART/serial port access for MCP-compatible clients (for example, Codex CLI or Claude Code). Enables direct control of remote devices like Raspberry Pi, embedded systems, and IoT devices.

Features

SSH Tools

• ssh_connect - Connect to remote hosts via SSH (password or key auth)
• ssh_execute - Run commands on connected hosts
• ssh_upload - Upload files via SFTP
• ssh_download - Download files via SFTP
• ssh_disconnect - Close connections
• ssh_list_connections - Show active connections

UART/Serial Tools

• serial_list_ports - List available serial ports
• serial_connect - Connect to a serial port
• serial_connect_match - Connect by matching VID/PID/serial/description
• serial_send - Send data (with optional response reading and configurable line ending)
• serial_read - Read data from port
• serial_wait_for - Wait for a specific pattern in output
• serial_expect - Wait/send sequences for prompts and AT flows
• serial_send_break - Send a break signal
• serial_set_dtr - Set DTR line state
• serial_set_rts - Set RTS line state
• serial_reset_device - Reset devices via DTR/RTS sequences
• serial_flush - Flush serial buffers
• serial_disconnect - Close connections
• serial_list_connections - Show active connections

Installation

1. Clone and install

git clone https://github.com/RFingAdam/mcp-remote-access.git
cd mcp-remote-access
uv pip install -e .

2. Add to your MCP client

Codex CLI example:

codex mcp add remote-access -- uv run --directory /path/to/mcp-remote-access mcp-remote-access

Claude Code example:

claude mcp add remote-access -- uv run --directory /path/to/mcp-remote-access mcp-remote-access

If your client uses a config file, set the MCP server command to:

{
  "command": "uv",
  "args": ["run", "--directory", "/path/to/mcp-remote-access", "mcp-remote-access"]
}

3. Start your client

For example:

codex

claude

Usage Examples

SSH to a Raspberry Pi

Connect to my Pi at vpn-ap.local with username pi and password raspberry

The client will use:

1. ssh_connect to establish connection
2. ssh_execute to run commands
3. ssh_upload/download for file transfers

Serial Connection to Embedded Device

List available serial ports and connect to /dev/ttyUSB0 at 115200 baud

The client will use:

1. serial_list_ports to show available ports
2. serial_connect to establish connection
3. serial_send / serial_read for communication

Connect to the USB serial device with VID 0x10c4 and PID 0xea60 at 115200 baud

The client will use:

1. serial_connect_match to select the port
2. serial_send / serial_read for communication

Serial Prompt Automation

Connect to the UART and log in as root (password summit), then wait for a shell prompt

The client will use:

1. serial_connect or serial_connect_match to open the port
2. serial_expect to wait for prompts and send responses

Security Notes

• SSH passwords are passed in memory only, never stored
• Connections are session-based and cleared on server restart
• Use SSH keys when possible for better security
• The server only accepts connections from the local MCP client (stdio transport)

Troubleshooting

SSH Connection Issues

• Verify the host is reachable: ping vpn-ap.local
• Check SSH is running on target: ssh pi@vpn-ap.local
• Ensure credentials are correct

Serial Port Issues

• Check port permissions: ls -la /dev/ttyUSB*
• Add user to dialout group: sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
• Verify device is connected: dmesg | tail

License

MIT