com.onkernel/kernel-mcp-server

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README

# Kernel MCP Server

[![MIT License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
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[![smithery badge](https://smithery.ai/badge/kernel)](https://smithery.ai/server/kernel)

A [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) server that provides AI assistants with secure access to [Kernel platform](https://onkernel.com) tools and browser automation capabilities.

![Architecture Overview](public/architecture_overview.png)

🌐 **Use instantly** at `https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp` — no installation required!

## What is this?

The Kernel MCP Server bridges AI assistants (like Claude, Cursor, or other MCP-compatible tools) with the Kernel platform, enabling them to:

- 🚀 Deploy and manage Kernel apps in the cloud
- 🌐 Launch and control headless Chromium sessions for web automation
- 📊 Monitor deployments and track invocations
- 🔍 Search Kernel documentation and inject context
- 💻 Execute arbitrary Playwright code against live browsers
- 🎥 Automatically record video replays of browser automation

**Open-source & fully-managed** — the complete codebase is available here, and we run the production instance so you don't need to deploy anything.

The server uses OAuth 2.0 authentication via [Clerk](https://clerk.com) to ensure secure access to your Kernel resources.

For a deeper dive into why and how we built this server, see our blog post: [Introducing Kernel MCP Server](https://blog.onkernel.com/p/introducing-kernel-mcp-server).

## Setup Instructions

### General (Transports)

- Streamable HTTP (recommended): `https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp`
- stdio via `mcp-remote` (for clients without remote MCP support): `npx -y mcp-remote https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp`

Use the streamable HTTP endpoint where supported for increased reliability. If your client does not support remote MCP, use `mcp-remote` over stdio.

Kernel's server is a centrally hosted, authenticated remote MCP using OAuth 2.1 with dynamic client registration.

## Quick Setup with Kernel CLI

The fastest way to configure the MCP server is using the [Kernel CLI](https://github.com/onkernel/cli):

```bash
# Install the CLI
brew install onkernel/tap/kernel
# or: npm install -g @onkernel/cli

# Install MCP for your tool
kernel mcp install --target <target>
```

### Supported Targets

| Target         | Command                                   |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Cursor         | `kernel mcp install --target cursor`      |
| Claude Desktop | `kernel mcp install --target claude`      |
| Claude Code    | `kernel mcp install --target claude-code` |
| VS Code        | `kernel mcp install --target vscode`      |
| Windsurf       | `kernel mcp install --target windsurf`    |
| Zed            | `kernel mcp install --target zed`         |
| Goose          | `kernel mcp install --target goose`       |

The CLI automatically locates your tool's config file and adds the Kernel MCP server configuration.

## Connect in your client

### Claude

> Our remote MCP server is not compatible with the method Free users of Claude use to add MCP servers.

#### Pro, Max, Team & Enterprise (Claude.ai and Claude Desktop)

1. Go to **Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector**.
2. Enter: **Integration name:** `Kernel`, **Integration URL:** `https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp`, then click **Add**.
3. In **Settings → Connectors**, click **Connect** next to `Kernel` to launch OAuth and approve.
4. In chat, click **Search and tools** and enable the Kernel tools if needed.

> On Claude for Work (Team/Enterprise), only Primary Owners or Owners can enable custom connectors for the org. After it's configured, each user still needs to go to **Settings → Connectors** and click **Connect** to authorize it for their account.

#### Claude Code CLI

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http kernel https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp
# Then in the REPL run once to authenticate:
/mcp
```

### Cursor

### Automatic setup

[![Install MCP Server](https://cursor.com/deeplink/mcp-install-dark.svg)](https://cursor.com/en/install-mcp?name=Kernel&config=eyJ1cmwiOiAiaHR0cHM6Ly9tY3Aub25rZXJuZWwuY29tL21jcCJ9)

#### Manual setup

1. Press **⌘/Ctrl Shift J**.
2. Go to **MCP & Integrations → New MCP server**.
3. Add this configuration:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kernel": {
      "url": "https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

4. Save. The server will appear in Tools.

### OpenCode

Add the following to your `~/.config/opencode/opencode.jsonc`:

```jsonc
{
  "mcp": {
    "kernel": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp",
    },
  },
}
```

Then authenticate using the OpenCode CLI:

```bash
# Authenticate with Kernel
opencode mcp auth kernel

# If you need to re-authenticate, first logout then auth again
op