Arduino MCP Server

Name: Arduino MCP Server
Author: hardware-mcp

by hardware-mcpversion 0.2.8i★ 24iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.hardware-mcp/arduino-mcp-server

How to install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Arduino MCP server for CLI setup, board detection, compile/upload, serial monitoring, and pin refs.

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 3/3 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

You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · 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
Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
Open the Arduino MCP Server site ↗
Done
Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file
SettingsDeveloperEdit Config
Done

Paste these settings and save the file

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "arduino": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "arduino-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ARDUINO_CLI_PATH": "your-value",
        "ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone

Done

Quit Claude and open it again
Done
Try it
Use Arduino MCP Server and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude says it is using Arduino MCP Server or shows a Arduino MCP Server 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 Arduino MCP Server yet

Arduino MCP Server 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 Arduino MCP Server

Steps for Claude →You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · 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 →You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
Steps for Cursor →You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
Steps for VS Code →You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · 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

You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · 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
Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
Open the Arduino MCP Server site ↗
Done
Open Terminal
Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell
Done
4
Paste this command and press Enter
```
claude mcp add arduino --env ARDUINO_CLI_PATH=your-value --env ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT=your-value -- npx -y arduino-mcp-server
```
Replace “your-value” with your key before pressing Enter
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Type /mcp in Claude Code
You should see Arduino MCP Server listed as connected
Done
Try it
Use Arduino MCP Server and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Claude Code says it is using Arduino MCP Server or shows a Arduino MCP Server 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

You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · 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
Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
Open the Arduino MCP Server site ↗
Done
Click this button to open Cursor
Open in Cursor
Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Fill in your key
In the Arduino MCP Server settings, ARDUINO_CLI_PATH, ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Arduino MCP Server and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If Cursor says it is using Arduino MCP Server or shows a Arduino MCP Server 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

You need a Arduino MCP Server key (sign up on the maker’s site, may cost money) · 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
Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key
Open the maker’s site, sign up and create an API key for the next step. It may cost money.
Open the Arduino MCP Server site ↗
Done
Click this button to open VS Code
Open in VS Code
VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install
Done
Fill in your key
In the Arduino MCP Server settings, ARDUINO_CLI_PATH, ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT is empty; add your key and save
Paste the key only into the app’s field, never into a chat or to anyone
Done
Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode
Done
Try it
Use Arduino MCP Server and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing
✓ If VS Code says it is using Arduino MCP Server or shows a Arduino MCP Server 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 Arduino MCP Server💬 Discussion →

For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add arduino --env ARDUINO_CLI_PATH=your-value --env ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT=your-value -- npx -y arduino-mcp-server

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "arduino": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "arduino-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ARDUINO_CLI_PATH": "your-value",
        "ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "arduino": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "arduino-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ARDUINO_CLI_PATH": "your-value",
        "ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "arduino": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "arduino-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "ARDUINO_CLI_PATH": "your-value",
        "ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Values you fill in

ARDUINO_CLI_PATH env
Optional path to arduino-cli binary. Defaults to arduino-cli on PATH.
ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT env
Optional absolute path restricting sketch operations to this directory.

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

At a glance

GitHub stars i: 24
Downloads per weeki: 191/wk
Licence i: MIT
Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Latest versioni: 0.2.8
Categoryi: Developer tools
Published to registryi: Mar 8, 2026
Code last changedi: Aug 23, 2026
Maker: hardware-mcp
Packages: npm: arduino-mcp-server
Repo: hardware-mcp/arduino-mcp-server
Website: github.com
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 hardware-mcp, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed 3 months ago
✓ Pass
Has a licence
Uses MIT
– 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 94% of the other 5760 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 5% of the other 5760 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 5760 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 Arduino MCP Server safe?

It passed 3 of 3 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 3 months ago, and the latest version (0.2.8) 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 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.

arduino-mcp-server

Give your AI assistant full control over Arduino — compile, upload, monitor serial, and verify wiring safety, all through natural language.

Part of the HardwareMCP ecosystem — open-source MCP servers that bridge AI to physical hardware.

What this does

AI assistants can control Jira, GitHub, and databases. They can't talk to a microcontroller — until now.

arduino-mcp-server wraps arduino-cli into an MCP server so your AI can:

Detect connected boards and ports automatically
Compile and upload sketches without touching the terminal
Monitor serial output with stateful sessions (open, read, expect, write, close)
Run electrical safety checks before sending commands to hardware
Manage dependencies — cores, libraries, and CLI installation

Quick Start

Install:

npm install -g arduino-mcp-server

Add to Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json):

"mcpServers": { "arduino": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "arduino-mcp-server"], "env": { "ARDUINO_CLI_PATH": "arduino-cli", "ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT": "/path/to/your/sketches" } } } }

Requires arduino-cli on your PATH, or let the server install it for you.

What you can say

Bootstrap from scratch:

"Check if Arduino CLI is installed and set everything up for an Arduino Uno."

Compile and upload:

"Compile my Blink sketch and upload it to the Uno on COM6."

Serial monitoring:

"Open serial on COM6 at 115200 and wait until the device prints READY."

Safety-first workflows:

"Run a safety preflight for an Arduino Uno with 5V on pin 13 at 25mA before I send commands."

Tools

Tool	What it does
`arduino_cli_doctor`	Check Arduino CLI installation and version
`install_arduino_cli`	Guide through arduino-cli installation
`detect_hardware`	Detect connected boards and infer FQBNs
`list_connected_boards`	List all connected Arduino boards
`list_serial_ports`	List available serial ports
`ensure_core_installed`	Check/install board cores
`compile_sketch`	Compile a sketch for a target board
`upload_sketch`	Upload compiled sketch to a board
`upload_and_wait_ready`	Upload and wait for device ready signal
`serial_open_session`	Open a stateful serial session
`serial_read`	Read buffered serial data
`serial_expect`	Wait for a pattern in serial output
`serial_write`	Send data over serial
`serial_close_session`	Close a serial session
`serial_list_sessions`	List active serial sessions
`read_serial_snapshot`	Quick one-shot serial read
`safety_preflight`	Electrical safety check before hardware ops
`get_board_details`	Get pin/capability details for a board
`list_supported_boards`	List all boards arduino-cli supports
`list_board_reference`	Browse board pin reference
`search_board_reference`	Search board reference by keyword

Resources:

arduino://boards/reference — structured board pin/capability reference

Prompts:

arduino-cli-bootstrap-policy — policy for arduino-cli setup behavior
arduino-setup-assistant — guided Arduino environment setup

Safety preflight guardrails

safety_preflight (and the safetyContext passed to upload_sketch, upload_and_wait_ready, and serial_write) now also covers battery and ESP32-family pin footguns, driven by small, extensible data tables rather than hardcoded to any one board:

Battery charge-rate (C-rate) check — pass a battery object (capacityMah, chargeCurrentMa, chemistry) and the check computes chargeCurrentMa / batteryCapacityMah and flags it:

`BATTERY_CRATE_UNSAFE` (hard, blocking) above 1C
`BATTERY_CRATE_CAUTION` (soft, non-blocking) above 0.5C

Generic small LiPo cells are commonly rated for roughly a 0.5–1C safe charge current, so the message spells out the math, e.g. *"380mA into a 100mAh cell is a 3.8C rate — well above the ~0.5-1C safe range for typical small LiPo cells; verify your cell's actual rated charge current before proceeding."* If chargeCurrentMa is omitted, it's inferred from a small board → onboard-charge-IC lookup table (currently seeded with Seeed XIAO ESP32S3, XIAO ESP32S3 Sense, and XIAO ESP32C3 — see data/battery-charge-ic-reference.json, easy to extend with more boards). These are approximate, manufacturer-published figures — verify against the live datasheet/wiki for your exact board revision before trusting them in a production workflow.

Battery polarity confirmation — when battery.connecting: true (or any battery field is set) but battery.polarityConfirmed isn't explicitly true, the preflight blocks with BATTERY_POLARITY_UNCONFIRMED and a reminder to never assume BAT+/BAT- from wire color. On Seeed XIAO boards it cites the official convention: the negative pad is closest to the USB-C port, positive is farthest from it.

ESP32-family pin safety (table-driven per board via data/board-reference.json):

SPI-flash pins (GPIO6-11 on classic ESP32 WROOM/WROVER modules) — hard error (SPI_FLASH_PIN_USED); wiring these prevents boot.
Boot-strapping pins (GPIO0/2/12/15 on classic ESP32) — caution; usable at runtime but risky if externally held during boot/reset (existing check).
Input-only pins with no internal pull resistor (GPIO34-39 on classic ESP32) — caution (NO_INTERNAL_PULL_PIN); add an external pull-up/pull-down if using them as buttons/switches.
Seeed XIAO ESP32S3 — modeled with its 11 usable GPIO (D0-D10), default I2C on D4/D5, and an informational note surfaced whenever D6/D7 are wired: they're hardware UART1 TX/RX by default, but enabling "USB CDC on Boot" frees them as plain GPIO.

Board data for all of the above lives in JSON, keyed by board id/FQBN, so more boards can be added without touching guardrail logic.

Configuration

Variable	Default	Description
`ARDUINO_CLI_PATH`	`arduino-cli`	Path to arduino-cli binary
`ARDUINO_SKETCH_ROOT`	(none)	Restrict sketch paths to this directory

Development

git clone https://github.com/hardware-mcp/arduino-mcp-server

cd arduino-mcp-server npm install npm run typecheck npm test npm run build npm run dev

Part of HardwareMCP

This server is part of the HardwareMCP ecosystem — a collection of MCP servers that give AI assistants real control over physical hardware.

License

MIT — see LICENSE.

Support

Open an issue

Arduino MCP Server

Overview

What you can do with it

Install

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key

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

Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key

Open Terminal

Paste this command and press Enter

Type /mcp in Claude Code

Try it

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key

Click this button to open Cursor

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

Try it

Install Node.js

Sign up and create a Arduino MCP Server key

Click this button to open VS Code

Fill in your key

Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

Try it

Installed on your computer

Values you fill in

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

arduino-mcp-server

What this does

Quick Start

What you can say

Tools

Safety preflight guardrails

Configuration

Development

Part of HardwareMCP

License

Support