Claude Bridge MCP server

claude-mcp-bridge

MCP server that wraps Claude Code CLI as a subprocess, exposing its capabilities as Model Context Protocol tools.

Works with any MCP client: Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code, or any tool that speaks MCP.

Do you need this?

If you're in a terminal agent (Codex CLI, Gemini CLI) with shell access, call Claude Code CLI directly:

# Analyze specific files
claude -p --bare --tools Read -- "Analyze src/utils/parse.ts for edge cases"

# With budget cap
claude -p --bare --max-budget-usd 0.50 "Is this retry logic sound?"

--bare skips hooks, memory, and plugins for clean subprocess use. --tools restricts which tools Claude can use at all; --allowed-tools only pre-approves permission and leaves everything else, including Bash, still reachable. --max-budget-usd prevents runaway costs.

--tools is variadic, so end the list with -- (or another flag) before the prompt. Without it the prompt is read as one more tool name and the CLI exits with "Input must be provided".

For code review, see Code review with this CLI.

Use this MCP bridge instead when:

• Your client has no shell access (Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, VS Code)
• You need structured output with native --json-schema validation
• You need session resume across calls (--resume SESSION_ID)
• You need concurrency management and security hardening
• You want cost metadata surfaced in MCP responses

Quick Start

npx claude-mcp-bridge

Prerequisites

• Claude Code CLI installed and on PATH
• Authentication (one of):
• Subscription (default): claude login (uses your Pro/Max plan, no API credits needed)
• API key: set ANTHROPICAPIKEY + CLAUDEBRIDGEUSEAPIKEY=1 (billed per use via console.anthropic.com)

Codex CLI

Add to ~/.codex/config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "claude-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "claude-mcp-bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Gemini CLI

Add to ~/.gemini/settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "claude-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "claude-mcp-bridge"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor / Windsurf / VS Code

Add to your MCP settings:

{
  "claude-bridge": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "claude-mcp-bridge"],
    "env": {
      "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "sk-ant-...",
      "CLAUDE_BRIDGE_USE_API_KEY": "1"
    }
  }
}

Tools

Shortened. The full README is on GitHub.