Switchboard

Name: Switchboard
Author: wkoverfield

by wkoverfieldversion 0.2.3i★ 0iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.wkoverfield/switchboard

How to install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

One firewall and password manager for all your AI coding agents' MCP servers and secrets.

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Developer tools

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Passed 2/2 checks · Runs on your computer

First: which AI do you use?

ClaudeWeb · app · phoneChatGPTWebClaude CodeTerminalCursorCode editorVS CodeCode editorOtherOther apps

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file
SettingsDeveloperEdit Config
Done

Paste these settings and save the file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "switchboard": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@switchboard-mcp/cli",
        "mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Done

Quit Claude and open it again
Done
Try it
Use Switchboard and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using Switchboard or shows a Switchboard tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

ChatGPT cannot connect Switchboard yet

Switchboard runs on your computer, but ChatGPT can only connect servers that run on the web

What you can do instead

A · Use an app that can connect Switchboard

Steps for Claude →Install Node.js on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone
Steps for Claude Code →Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
Steps for Cursor →Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
Steps for VS Code →Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

B · Others in Developer tools that work with ChatGPT

Picked from the most used in the same category, only ones that connect by address with no key

Sentry✓ ChatGPT
Front-End Checklist✓ ChatGPT
Compiler Explorer✓ ChatGPT

Works with Claude Code, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done

Paste this command and press Enter

claude mcp add switchboard -- npx -y @switchboard-mcp/cli mcp

Done

Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see Switchboard listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use Switchboard and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using Switchboard or shows a Switchboard tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Click this button to open Cursor
Open in Cursor
Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Switchboard and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using Switchboard or shows a Switchboard tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Install Node.js
One time only; it works for every server that needs Node.js
Open the Node.js download page ↗
Done
Click this button to open VS Code
Open in VS Code
VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Switchboard and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using Switchboard or shows a Switchboard tool in the answer, you are connected

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use Switchboard💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add switchboard -- npx -y @switchboard-mcp/cli mcp

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "switchboard": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@switchboard-mcp/cli",
        "mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "switchboard": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@switchboard-mcp/cli",
        "mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "switchboard": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@switchboard-mcp/cli",
        "mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 0
Downloads per weeki: 82/wk
Licence i: No licence stated
Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Latest versioni: 0.2.3
Categoryi: Developer tools
Published to registryi: Oct 15, 2026
Code last changedi: Nov 1, 2026
Maker: wkoverfield
Packages: npm: @switchboard-mcp/cli
Repo: wkoverfield/switchboard
Registry status: Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Run on your computer in

Claude Goose LM Studio Msty Studio Cherry Studio Cursor VS Code + GitHub Copilot Visual Studio Windsurf (Devin Desktop)Zed Kiro Cline Continue JetBrains AI Assistant Claude Code Codex CLI Gemini CLI OpenCode nodecode Warp LibreChat Raycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 11, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account wkoverfield, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed 11 days ago
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

User reviews

No reviews yet

Compared with others in Developer toolsi

More stars than 0% of the other 5763 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 53% of the other 5763 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 5763 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Switchboard safe?

It passed 2 of 2 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed 11 days ago, and the latest version (0.2.3) reached the registry 28 days ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: REA, Netdata, Front-End Checklist

Alternatives

Servers in the same category from other makers, sorted by stars.

Reading a card:↓ Downloads per weeki★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

REA

Reverse engineer anything from your terminal or agent with one CLI and MCP server.

by morlutoWidely used↓ 388.7K/wk★ 451.3KUpdated 17 days ago

Runs on your computer

Install

Netdata

Real-time infrastructure monitoring with metrics, logs, alerts, and ML-based anomaly detection.

by netdataWidely used★ 81.4KUpdated 7 days ago

Runs in the cloud

Install

Front-End Checklist

Review frontend code and live pages against 386 quality-gated web development rules.

by thedaviddiasWidely used★ 74.7KUpdated 38 days ago

Runs in the cloud

Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

Switchboard

A firewall and password manager for your AI coding agents.

Switchboard controls what Claude Code and Codex can reach in a repo. It finds the MCP servers and tokens your agents can already touch, gets secrets out of plaintext config and behind named keychain refs, and puts each agent on a scoped pass that expires on its own.

Everything runs locally. No account, no hosted service, no telemetry.

What it does

switchboard scan shows which MCP servers and tokens agents can reach in this repo, and which routes bypass Switchboard entirely.
switchboard import consolidates scattered Claude/Codex MCP config into one Switchboard route, with timestamped backups and exact rollback commands.
Secrets live in your OS keychain as named refs. Config files carry secretRef: "github/ci/token", never the token itself.
switchboard grant puts the agent on a pass: named tools reachable, everything else denied, gone in a few hours.
switchboard status answers whether a pass is live right now. switchboard revoke ends one early.
Every tool call routed through Switchboard lands in a local audit log. switchboard logs reads it.

Install

npm install -g @switchboard-mcp/cli

Or without installing:

npx -y @switchboard-mcp/cli@latest scan

Requires Node 22 or newer. Daily use is on macOS, CI runs on Linux, and a Windows keychain backend exists but gets less exercise.

Quickstart

Start in a repo where your agents already work:

$ switchboard scan

This looks like acme-app.

Detected:

Codex Switchboard route missing
Claude Switchboard route missing
Claude direct MCP server "github" detected

Authority bypasses: high claude:github (github; direct-mcp-server, secret-env-name)

Warnings:

1 direct MCP bypass finding(s), including 1 high-risk finding(s), were detected.

That high-risk finding is a GitHub token sitting in plaintext in .mcp.json. Move it behind Switchboard:

switchboard import --dry-run          # see the plan first

switchboard import --write --cleanup-client switchboard secrets set # store the token; import prints the exact command switchboard install claude --write # route the agent through Switchboard

Import rewrites client config to a single Switchboard route, replaces the plaintext token with a named keychain ref, and leaves a backup plus the exact rollback command. Import never reads secret values itself; the secrets set step is where the token actually enters your keychain. Then scope the agent:

switchboard grant --for 4h

You get the pass above. When you want it gone early:

$ switchboard revoke

Revoked pass grant-main (main). The agent's scoped access is off now.

switchboard doctor tells you the next thing to fix at any point. If a repo has no MCP config yet, switchboard setup github-ci starts from a safe provider template instead.

What Switchboard does not do

It is not a sandbox. Switchboard governs the paths routed through it: Switchboard MCP endpoints and switchboard run. An agent with raw shell access, a provider CLI, a browser session, or a direct MCP route can bypass it. switchboard scan reports those bypass routes so you can clean them up or accept them deliberately.
Backups keep your old config exactly as it was. If a token was in plaintext before import, the backup still contains it. Rotate old tokens after migrating, and keep backups private.
A pass only binds routed agents. switchboard grant says so itself when no client is wired up yet, and switchboard install closes the gap.
It is alpha software. Local-first workflows, conservative claims, rough edges. The pass and audit contracts are versioned JSON, but expect change.

Commands

Command	What it does
`switchboard scan`	Show what agents can reach in this repo, including bypass routes
`switchboard import`	Consolidate Claude/Codex MCP config into one guarded route
`switchboard grant` / `revoke`	Give the repo's agent an expiring scoped pass, or end it now
`switchboard status`	Is a pass live right now, and which config is active
`switchboard doctor`	Check the setup and print the next thing to fix
`switchboard setup`	Guided setup from a provider safety template (`switchboard presets list` shows them)
`switchboard auth`	Store the provider token for a preset in the keychain
`switchboard secrets`	Set, list, remove, and doctor named secret refs
`switchboard run`	Run an allowed provider command with pass-scoped credentials and audit
`switchboard install`	Route Claude Code or Codex through Switchboard (add `--scope user` for one server across every repo)
`switchboard pass`	Create and inspect task-scoped passes with leases, gates, handoffs
`switchboard approvals`	Review and decide approval-gated tool calls
`switchboard tools`	List the tool surface a pass exposes
`switchboard logs`	Read the local audit log
`switchboard dashboard`	Local read-only dashboard: live passes, denials, audit stream
`switchboard audit`	Repo authority posture report, exportable as JSONL

Commands that report state take --json for scripts and harnesses, with versioned schemas. switchboard --help has the rest.

How it works

Switchboard reads layered YAML config (global, then .switchboard.yaml, then .switchboard.local.yaml). Each profile names an upstream MCP server and the secret refs it needs. At runtime, Switchboard mounts permitted profiles as one MCP endpoint, resolves secret refs from the OS keychain only at launch, and namespaces every tool so a pass can allow github_ci_* and deny everything else. Passes, approvals, and audit entries are plain local files that reference secrets by name, never by value.

Secret storage uses OS keychain backends by default. Plaintext fallbacks exist for dev machines and CI, and require an explicit SWITCHBOARD_ALLOW_UNSAFE_SECRET_BACKENDS=1 opt-in.

For harnesses and subagent systems

switchboard pass create --from github-ci --json returns a workspaceLease.mcpLaunch payload: the exact command to launch a pass-scoped stdio MCP endpoint, plus the pass policy and lease. Switchboard grants and audits authority; your harness owns scheduling, retries, and agent processes. JSON contracts are documented in docs/use-cases/harness-json-contracts.md.

Alternatives

Project MCP config alone works, but it is static wiring with tokens in files. Switchboard imports that wiring, moves the tokens, and adds scoped expiring access on top.
Docker MCP Gateway and MCP runtimes run and package MCP servers well. Switchboard is the local authority layer above them, deciding which profile, tools, and lease an agent gets for a task. A gateway can be an upstream behind a Switchboard profile.
Hosted tool platforms (Composio, Arcade) offer managed OAuth and broad SaaS coverage. Switchboard is local-first for coding-agent repos: local secrets, local audit, no hosted dependency.
Just giving the agent a token is fast until the token is broad, live, or copied into the wrong file. That is the failure mode Switchboard exists for.

Development

git clone https://github.com/wkoverfield/switchboard.git

cd switchboard pnpm install pnpm build pnpm switchboard --help pnpm test

Contributions are welcome; see CONTRIBUTING.md, and report vulnerabilities privately per SECURITY.md.

Smoke tests and fresh-agent evals live in scripts/; CI runs the full set. The top demo is a VHS tape: brew install vhs && pnpm build && vhs examples/switchboard.tape. Deeper docs: quickstart, threat model, provider safety templates, roadmap.

Agents can read these docs over MCP: npx -y @switchboard-mcp/docs-mcp serves list_docs, read_doc, and search_docs, and llms.txt is kept current. The landing and docs site lives in site/ (static build, pnpm --filter @switchboard-mcp/site build).

License

MIT. See LICENSE.

Switchboard

Overview

What you can do with it

Install

Install Node.js

Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file

Paste these settings and save the file

Quit Claude and open it again

Try it

What you can do instead

Install Node.js

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Install Node.js

Click this button to open Cursor

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Install Node.js

Click this button to open VS Code

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Installed on your computer

At a glance

Which apps can use it

Related guides

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Discussion

User reviews

Compared with others in Developer toolsi

Common questions

Alternatives

REA

Netdata

Front-End Checklist

README from the maker

Switchboard

What it does

Install

Quickstart

What Switchboard does not do

Commands

How it works

For harnesses and subagent systems

Alternatives

Development

License