Project Gutenberg MCP

Name: Project Gutenberg MCP
Author: bobbyhouse

by bobbyhouseversion 1.2.0i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.bobbyhouse/project-gutenberg-mcp

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Read Project Gutenberg books via MCP. Search, fetch metadata, and retrieve text in passages.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

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: Games, sports, food & learning
You need to fill in: GUTENBERG_BASE_URL, GUTENBERG_TOOLS

Install

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

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: GUTENBERG_BASE_URL, GUTENBERG_TOOLS, GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID, GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE, GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE

You need

DockerDocker installed

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "project-gutenberg": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_TOOLS",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE",
        "roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_TOOLS": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add project-gutenberg --env GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=your-value --env GUTENBERG_TOOLS=your-value --env GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID=your-value --env GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE=your-value --env GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE=your-value -- docker run -i --rm -e GUTENBERG_BASE_URL -e GUTENBERG_TOOLS -e GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID -e GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE -e GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "project-gutenberg": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_TOOLS",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE",
        "roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_TOOLS": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "project-gutenberg": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_TOOLS",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE",
        "-e",
        "GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE",
        "roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_TOOLS": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE": "your-value",
        "GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

GUTENBERG_BASE_URL required env
Base URL of your Gutenberg mirror. Run the mirror from the mirror/ directory and point this at it. See the README for setup instructions.
GUTENBERG_TOOLS required env
Comma-separated list of tools to expose. Available: search_books, get_book_metadata, fetch_book_text, list_passages, get_passage
GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID env
Project Gutenberg book ID to use as the default for all tools. Find IDs via search_books. Example: 2680 for Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE env
Size in bytes of each passage returned by get_passage.
GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE env
Default ISO 639-1 language code filter for search_books. Used when the caller omits the language parameter.

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

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 8, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account bobbyhouse, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… 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

Compared with others in Games, sports, food & learningi

More stars than 0% of the other 1286 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 5% of the other 1286 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 1286 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 Project Gutenberg MCP safe?

It passed 1 of 1 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?

You need to fill in: GUTENBERG_BASE_URL, GUTENBERG_TOOLS

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 –, and the latest version (1.2.0) reached the registry 8 months ago.

Which apps can use it?

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

What can I use instead?

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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.

project-gutenberg-mcp

An MCP server for reading books from Project Gutenberg.

Project Gutenberg Terms of Service

Project Gutenberg's robot access policy states that the site is intended for human users only. Automated access may result in your IP being blocked.

To use this MCP server you must run your own mirror. Project Gutenberg explicitly supports and encourages mirroring — see their mirroring guide for details.

This repository includes a ready-to-run mirror server in the mirror/ directory.

Mirror Setup

The mirror server downloads the Project Gutenberg catalog on startup (~5 MB compressed) and caches book files locally on first access. It exposes the URL structure that this MCP server expects.

Docker Compose (recommended)

Runs the mirror and MCP server together. The MCP server is exposed on HTTP at port 8081.

docker compose up

The mirror is available at http://localhost:8080 and the MCP server at http://localhost:8081/mcp.

Mirror only (stdio)

Build and start just the mirror, then connect an MCP client via stdio.

task build:mirror

task start:mirror

The mirror runs at http://localhost:8080. Example MCP client config (stdio):

"mcpServers": { "project-gutenberg-mcp": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=http://host.docker.internal:8080", "-e", "GUTENBERG_TOOLS=search_books,get_book_metadata,list_passages,get_passage", "roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp" ] } } }

Configuration

All configuration is via environment variables.

Variable	Required	Description
`GUTENBERG_BASE_URL`	Yes	Base URL of your Gutenberg mirror (see Mirror Setup above)
`GUTENBERG_TOOLS`	Yes	Comma-separated list of tools to expose (see below)
`GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID`	No	Project Gutenberg book ID to use as default
`GUTENBERG_CHUNK_SIZE`	No	Passage size in bytes (default: 4096)
`GUTENBERG_LANGUAGE`	No	Default ISO 639-1 language code for `search_books` (default: `en`)

Tools

Tool	Description
`search_books`	Search for books by title or author
`get_book_metadata`	Fetch metadata (title, authors, formats) for a book
`fetch_book_text`	Download the full plain text of a book
`list_passages`	List fixed-size passage keys for a book
`get_passage`	Fetch a specific passage by its key

When GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID is set, tools that take a book ID will use it as the default. When it is not set, include search_books in your tools list so an agent can discover IDs first.

Running

stdio

GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=http://localhost:8080 \

GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID=2680 \ GUTENBERG_TOOLS=get_book_metadata,list_passages,get_passage \ ./project-gutenberg-mcp --transport stdio

HTTP

GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=http://localhost:8080 \

GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID=2680 \ GUTENBERG_TOOLS=get_book_metadata,list_passages,get_passage \ ./project-gutenberg-mcp --transport http --addr :8081

Docker

Pulling pre-built images

# MCP server

docker pull roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0

Mirror

docker pull roberthouse224/gutenberg-mirror:1.2.0

Building locally

Both Dockerfiles use Docker Hardened Images (DHI) for enhanced security. Building requires authentication to Docker Hub:

docker login

Then build:

# Build MCP server

docker build -t project-gutenberg-mcp .

Build mirror

docker build -f mirror/Dockerfile -t gutenberg-mirror ./mirror

Running the MCP server

# HTTP

docker run -p 8081:8081 \ -e GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=http://host.docker.internal:8080 \ -e GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID=2680 \ -e GUTENBERG_TOOLS=get_book_metadata,list_passages,get_passage \ roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp --transport http --addr :8081

stdio

docker run -i --rm \ -e GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=http://host.docker.internal:8080 \ -e GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID=2680 \ -e GUTENBERG_TOOLS=get_book_metadata,list_passages,get_passage \ roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp

Running the mirror

# Create a named volume for cache persistence

docker volume create gutenberg-cache

Run mirror (serves on http://localhost:8080)

docker run -d \ -p 8080:8080 \ -v gutenberg-cache:/data \ --name gutenberg-mirror \ roberthouse224/gutenberg-mirror:1.2.0

Multi-architecture builds

Both images support linux/amd64 and linux/arm64 architectures. To build and push multi-arch images:

# Create a builder instance

docker buildx create --name multiarch --use

Build and push MCP server

docker buildx build \ --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 \ -t roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0 \ -t roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:latest \ --push \ .

Build and push mirror

docker buildx build \ --platform linux/amd64,linux/arm64 \ -t roberthouse224/gutenberg-mirror:1.2.0 \ -t roberthouse224/gutenberg-mirror:latest \ --push \ -f mirror/Dockerfile \ ./mirror

MCP client config (stdio)

"mcpServers": { "project-gutenberg-mcp": { "command": "docker", "args": [ "run", "-i", "--rm", "-e", "GUTENBERG_BASE_URL=http://host.docker.internal:8080", "-e", "GUTENBERG_BOOK_ID=2680", "-e", "GUTENBERG_TOOLS=get_book_metadata,list_passages,get_passage", "roberthouse224/project-gutenberg-mcp:1.2.0" ] } } }

Local builds (non-Docker)

task build         # outputs to build/project-gutenberg-mcp

task build:mirror # outputs to mirror/build/mirror task test

Book IDs

A few useful IDs:

Book	ID
Meditations — Marcus Aurelius	2680
The Republic — Plato	1497
Thus Spoke Zarathustra — Nietzsche	1998
Moby Dick — Melville	2701
Pride and Prejudice — Austen	1342

Project Gutenberg MCP

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

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

Compared with others in Games, sports, food & learningi

Common questions

Alternatives

Prospre

RSS.com MCP by usefulapi

Castos MCP by usefulapi

README from the maker

project-gutenberg-mcp

Project Gutenberg Terms of Service

Mirror Setup

Docker Compose (recommended)

Mirror only (stdio)

Configuration

Tools

Running

stdio

HTTP

Docker

Pulling pre-built images

Mirror

Building locally

Build mirror

Running the MCP server

stdio

Running the mirror

Run mirror (serves on http://localhost:8080)

Multi-architecture builds

Build and push MCP server

Build and push mirror

MCP client config (stdio)

Local builds (non-Docker)

Book IDs