Terminal MCP (server-shell)

Quick start

1. •Ensure Node.js and npm are available.
2. •Add the MCP server config (below) to your client.
3. •Use MCP tools to run commands safely (pwd, ls, rg, git status).

Standard MCP config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-shell"]
    }
  }
}

Codex CLI command

codex mcp add terminal -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-shell

Usage flow (agent-side)

• •Start with pwd and ls to confirm the repo root.
• •Use rg for fast search.
• •Prefer non-destructive commands; avoid rm -rf.
• •Confirm before running long or risky commands.

Safety

• •Treat the shell as sensitive: it has full filesystem access.
• •Avoid exporting secrets into logs or command history.
• •For privileged commands, ask the user explicitly.

Resources

• •Client-specific setup: see references/clients.md.