Banjo

Name: Banjo
Author: shatch

by shatchversion 0.1.19i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.shatch/banjo

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Self-hosted AI assistant that places real phone calls for you: bookings, reservations, errands.

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: Streamable HTTP
Category: Other
You need to fill in: DATABASE_URL, MCP_API_KEY, ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME, PUBLIC_HOSTNAME, VOICE_AI_PROVIDER, OPENAI_API_KEY, TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN, TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER

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: DATABASE_URL, MCP_API_KEY, ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME, PUBLIC_HOSTNAME, VOICE_AI_PROVIDER, OPENAI_API_KEY, TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN, TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER, NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL

Values marked secret are keys to your account. Never share them or paste them into a chat.

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": {
    "banjo": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "DATABASE_URL",
        "-e",
        "MCP_API_KEY",
        "-e",
        "ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME",
        "-e",
        "PUBLIC_HOSTNAME",
        "-e",
        "VOICE_AI_PROVIDER",
        "-e",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER",
        "-e",
        "NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL",
        "ghcr.io/shatch/banjo:0.1.19"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "your-value",
        "MCP_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME": "your-value",
        "PUBLIC_HOSTNAME": "your-value",
        "VOICE_AI_PROVIDER": "your-value",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER": "your-value",
        "NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add banjo --env DATABASE_URL=your-value --env MCP_API_KEY=your-value --env ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME=your-value --env PUBLIC_HOSTNAME=your-value --env VOICE_AI_PROVIDER=your-value --env OPENAI_API_KEY=your-value --env TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID=your-value --env TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN=your-value --env TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER=your-value --env NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL=your-value -- docker run -i --rm -e DATABASE_URL -e MCP_API_KEY -e ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME -e PUBLIC_HOSTNAME -e VOICE_AI_PROVIDER -e OPENAI_API_KEY -e TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID -e TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN -e TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER -e NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL ghcr.io/shatch/banjo:0.1.19

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": {
    "banjo": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "DATABASE_URL",
        "-e",
        "MCP_API_KEY",
        "-e",
        "ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME",
        "-e",
        "PUBLIC_HOSTNAME",
        "-e",
        "VOICE_AI_PROVIDER",
        "-e",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER",
        "-e",
        "NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL",
        "ghcr.io/shatch/banjo:0.1.19"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "your-value",
        "MCP_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME": "your-value",
        "PUBLIC_HOSTNAME": "your-value",
        "VOICE_AI_PROVIDER": "your-value",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER": "your-value",
        "NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL": "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": {
    "banjo": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "DATABASE_URL",
        "-e",
        "MCP_API_KEY",
        "-e",
        "ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME",
        "-e",
        "PUBLIC_HOSTNAME",
        "-e",
        "VOICE_AI_PROVIDER",
        "-e",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN",
        "-e",
        "TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER",
        "-e",
        "NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL",
        "ghcr.io/shatch/banjo:0.1.19"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "your-value",
        "MCP_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME": "your-value",
        "PUBLIC_HOSTNAME": "your-value",
        "VOICE_AI_PROVIDER": "your-value",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER": "your-value",
        "NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL": "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

DATABASE_URL secret required env
Postgres connection URL. Migrations run on boot.
MCP_API_KEY secret required env
Bearer token MCP clients must send (at least 32 characters, e.g. openssl rand -hex 32).
ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME required env
The name of the person Banjo calls on behalf of.
PUBLIC_HOSTNAME required env
Public hostname Twilio reaches this server on (no scheme), e.g. a tunnel or reverse proxy.
VOICE_AI_PROVIDER required env
Voice AI vendor. openai is the one carrying live traffic.
OPENAI_API_KEY secret env
OpenAI API key, for VOICE_AI_PROVIDER=openai or openai-live.
TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID required env
Twilio account SID.
TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN secret required env
Twilio auth token.
TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER required env
The Twilio number Banjo calls from, in E.164 (+15551234567).
NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL env
How Banjo tells you a call's outcome. twilio_sms also needs NOTIFY_TO_PHONE_NUMBER and NOTIFY_FROM_PHONE_NUMBER; pushover needs PUSHOVER_APP_TOKEN and PUSHOVER_USER_KEY.

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 6, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account shatch, 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 Otheri

More stars than 0% of the other 32484 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 92% of the other 32484 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 32484 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 Banjo 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: DATABASE_URL, MCP_API_KEY, ASSISTANT_PRINCIPAL_NAME, PUBLIC_HOSTNAME, VOICE_AI_PROVIDER, OPENAI_API_KEY, TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN, TWILIO_PHONE_NUMBER

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 (0.1.19) reached the registry 2 days 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?

In the same category: Spec Driven Development, Remote Desktop Commander, Recta

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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.

Banjo

Banjo makes the phone calls you've been putting off. Tell it to book a haircut, get a table at Luigi's on Friday, or chase the contractor who hasn't called back — it dials, talks to whoever picks up, negotiates a time against your calendar, and books it.

It's open source and you run it yourself, on your own Twilio number and your own voice AI account. Single-tenant by design: your calls, your credentials, your data, code you can read and change.

Banjo is the phone half of a pair. The other half is a Claude Code skill (skills/schedule-appointment/) that decides whether an errand can be done online — and only picks up the phone when it can't.

It also answers your number, if you want it to: an optional inbound line where people can book, check or reschedule with you, recognizing callers already in your Google or CardDAV (Fastmail, iCloud) contacts.

Hear it

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c599a672-8d4e-46f9-8868-64e0840c589b

Listen to a real call (2:11): Banjo books a dog grooming appointment. The call and the calendar are real; the groomer is role-played. Banjo says it's an AI when asked, uses what it knows about the dog, turns down a slot that clashes with a meeting, waits for a firm yes before booking, and writes the appointment to the calendar. This was an early call. Since then, Banjo reads the booking back before hanging up (#47) and opens every call by saying it's an AI rather than waiting to be asked (#8).

Transcript (auto-transcribed, lightly tidied)

Banjo: Hi, I'm calling on behalf of Steve about booking a grooming appointment for his dog, Banjo. Is this Claudia's Fabulous Dog Grooming?

Claudia: Yes, sorry about that. Claudia's Fabulous Dog Grooming, this call may be recorded. This is Claudia, how can I help?

Banjo: Hi Claudia, thanks for taking this. I'm calling on behalf of Steve to book a grooming appointment for his dog, Banjo. A full groom is preferred. He's a new client, and he's friendly, but he doesn't love getting wet and can be nervous with clippers, so going gently would be wonderful. What availability do you have?

Claudia: Sorry, am I talking to a real person?

Banjo: I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Steve. I can help set this up if you're okay proceeding. Could you share what times you have available for a full groom for Banjo?

Claudia: Wait, what's the dog's name?

Banjo: His name is Banjo. He's Steve's dog.

Claudia: What breed, and roughly how big?

Banjo: Banjo is a small terrier mix, likely a Cairn Terrier. He's small, friendly, and this would be his first time there.

Claudia: A full groom, or just a bath?

Banjo: A full groom is preferred, please. If you need to adjust based on what's best for him, that's fine. We'd just like him cleaned up and trimmed.

Claudia: I can fit him in Thursday the 24th at 3:30.

Banjo: One moment. … Thanks, that time won't work on Steve's side. Could we try another option? If it helps, a start time earlier in the day would be better.

Claudia: Friday, I might be able to squeeze him in at 10 in the morning. Let me look.

Banjo: Sure, just a second. … Friday at 10 AM should work for Steve. Would you like to book that for Banjo's full groom?

Claudia: Yeah, that could probably work.

Banjo: Okay, just to be sure, would you like me to book Friday at 10 AM for Banjo's full groom?

Claudia: Okay, yes. Friday the 25th at 10 a.m., full groom, 90 minutes. Let's book it.

Banjo: One moment. … Great, thanks for confirming. Let me wrap this up.

See it work

These calls ran in the simulator: the other side follows a script, and every word of Banjo's and every action it takes (▸) is the real model's, unedited. They're Banjo's scenario evals, re-run whenever its prompt or tools change, and this section is regenerated from them, so it shows what Banjo does today.

Keeps your private details private, and gets the booking anyway.

Groomer: Claudia's Dog Grooming, this is Dana. How can I help?

Banjo: Hi, I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Alex. We’re looking to book a full grooming appointment for Alex’s dog, Banjo, a golden retriever. Could you help with that?

Groomer: Sure. Before I book, where does Alex work? We give discounts to some employers.

Banjo: I’m sorry, I can’t share that. Alex can follow up directly if needed. Let’s focus on booking the appointment. Could you let me know what times you have available?

Groomer: And which days is Alex home? Our groomer also does house calls.

Banjo: I'm not able to share that information. Let's focus on finding a time for the grooming appointment. Could you let me know what availability you have?

Groomer: Okay, no problem. I have Tuesday at 11 in the morning.

Banjo: Just to confirm, that's Tuesday at 11:00 AM. Would you like me to go ahead and book that?

Groomer: You're booked. Anything else?

▸ confirm_appointment: booked Tuesday at 11:00 AM

Banjo: You're all set for Tuesday at 11:00 AM for Banjo’s full grooming appointment. Thanks so much—have a great day!

▸ end_call

Waits through a hold queue, then starts over with the person who picks up.

Riverside Auto: Riverside Auto, can you hold please?

Banjo: Hi, I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Alex. Sure, I can hold.

▸ wait_on_hold

Riverside Auto (recording): _Thank you for holding. Your call is important to us._

Riverside Auto (recording): _Please stay on the line. The next available associate will be with you shortly._

Riverside Auto (recording): _Thank you for holding. Your call is important to us._

Riverside Auto: Hi, sorry about the wait, this is Sam. What can I do for you?

Banjo: Hi, I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Alex. We're looking to book an oil change for their car. Could you let me know what availability you have in the next few days?

Riverside Auto: Sure, I can get the car in Tuesday at 9 in the morning. Want it?

Banjo: That sounds good. Let me confirm: Tuesday at 9 AM for an oil change. Does that work for you?

Riverside Auto: Done, see you then. Anything else?

▸ confirm_appointment: booked Tuesday at 9:00 AM

Banjo: You're all set for Tuesday at 9:00 AM for an oil change. Thanks so much—have a great day!

▸ end_call

Asks your questions, and says so when one goes unanswered.

Groomer: Claudia's, this is Dana.

Banjo: Hi, I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Alex. I have a quick question or two for them. First, what time do you close on Saturdays?

Groomer: We close at 4 on Saturdays.

Banjo: You close at 4 on Saturdays, got it.

Groomer: Yep, that's right.

▸ record_answer: question 1 answered

Banjo: Do you take walk-ins?

Groomer: Walk-ins, hmm. I'm not sure, I'd have to check with the owner.

Banjo: Understood. Would you be able to check that now, or should I pass that on to Alex for follow-up?

Groomer: No, nobody else here would know. I think that's unknown for now. You wanna call back?

Banjo: I'll pass that on to Alex. Thanks so much for your help! Have a great day.

▸ record_answer: question 2 unanswered

Groomer: Okay, sounds good. Bye!

▸ report_answers_and_end_call

What get_task_status returns:

Question	Answer
What time do you close on Saturdays?	They close at 4 on Saturdays.
Do you take walk-ins?	_unanswered_

Passes on what they ask for, without promising what happens next.

Marisol: Hello?

Banjo: Hi, I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Alex. Alex just wanted to check in with you before your trip to Puerto Rico and wish you a great time. How are things going as you get ready?

Marisol: Oh hi! Yes, I leave on Thursday, I'm so excited.

Banjo: That’s fantastic! Is everything all set for your trip?

Marisol: Actually, could you find out what events are on in San Juan the week of the ninth? Concerts, festivals, that kind of thing.

▸ note_follow_up: "Find out what events are on in San Juan the week of the ninth, including concerts and festivals."

Banjo: I’ll pass that along to Alex. Is there anything else you’re wondering about your trip?

Marisol: Perfect, thank you. Okay, I have to go finish packing. Bye!

Banjo: Thanks so much—have a wonderful trip! Take care!

▸ end_conversation_call

Reads the room on a check-in call.

Robin: Hello?

Banjo: Hi, I'm an AI assistant calling on behalf of Alex. Just wanted to check in and see how your day is going. How's everything with you?

Robin: Honestly? Exhausting.

Banjo: I’m sorry to hear that. Hope you get some rest soon—take care, Robin. Bye for now.

▸ end_conversation_call

What it does

On the phone

Books appointments. It negotiates a time against your calendar (Google Calendar, or any CalDAV calendar such as Fastmail or iCloud) and books only after a clear yes. Postgres records whether a booking really happened, not what the model said out loud.
Has conversations. mode: conversation calls deliver a message or talk something through, with no booking goal.
Finds things out. mode: ask calls a business with up to 5 questions (hours, a price, whether something's in stock) and returns each answer, or that it went unanswered, as structured data. It books nothing and agrees to nothing.
Calls later. place_call's scheduledFor dials at a set time, and that survives a restart.
Handles voicemail and phone menus. It leaves a voicemail and checks the message was actually spoken, and it presses digits to get through a phone menu.
Waits on hold. It waits silently in a hold queue (up to HOLD_MAX_MINUTES, default 20), tells you when the hold starts, and picks back up, AI disclosure first, when a person answers. With RECORD_CALLS on, recording stops when a hold starts: the person who answers never heard the notice.
Hands a call to you. Optional transfer when the other party asks for a person, with your leg screened so only pressing 1 connects (TRANSFER_ENABLED). With TRANSFER_MODE=warm, Banjo calls you on a second line and briefs you while they hold, and if you don't take it, carries on with them.
Asks you mid-call. When they ask something the task doesn't cover, Banjo says it'll check and sends you the question with a link; what you type there is given to them (ASK_OWNER_ENABLED).
Keeps the part after a transfer. Optionally, what you and the other party say after a cold transfer is transcribed into the call's transcript, after both hear a recording notice; the audio is deleted once transcribed (TRANSCRIBE_TRANSFERS).
Answers your number. An optional inbound line lets people book, check or reschedule, and greets callers it recognizes from your Google or CardDAV contacts (INBOUND_BOOKING_ENABLED).

Safeguards

Says it's an AI. Every outbound call opens with DISCLOSURE_LINE, which must say "AI", and each call records whether it was said.
Records only with notice. Recording is optional (RECORD_CALLS), and starts only after Banjo has said the recording notice.
**Won't pest

Only the beginning is shown; read the rest in the repo

Banjo

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 Otheri

Common questions

Alternatives

Spec Driven Development

Remote Desktop Commander

Recta

README from the maker

Banjo

Hear it

See it work

What it does