MCP Server Advanced Configuration Guide

MCP Protocol Introduction

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol for connecting AI models with external tools and data sources. OpenClaw acts as an MCP Client, connecting to multiple MCP Servers so the AI assistant can access databases, file systems, APIs, and more.

View MCP Connections

openclaw mcp list

Add MCP Servers

Stdio Transport

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "filesystem": {
        "transport": "stdio",
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/allowed/dir"]
      }
    }
  }
}

SSE Transport

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "remote-tools": {
        "transport": "sse",
        "url": "https://mcp-server.example.com/sse",
        "headers": {
          "Authorization": "Bearer {{MCP_SERVER_TOKEN}}"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Common MCP Server Configurations

PostgreSQL Database

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "postgres": {
        "transport": "stdio",
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres"],
        "env": { "POSTGRES_URL": "{{DATABASE_URL}}" }
      }
    }
  }
}

GitHub

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "github": {
        "transport": "stdio",
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
        "env": { "GITHUB_TOKEN": "{{GITHUB_TOKEN}}" }
      }
    }
  }
}

Web Search (Brave)

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "brave-search": {
        "transport": "stdio",
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"],
        "env": { "BRAVE_API_KEY": "{{BRAVE_API_KEY}}" }
      }
    }
  }
}

Assign MCP Tools to Channels

{
  "channels": {
    "telegram-main": {
      "mcpServers": ["filesystem", "brave-search"],
      "tools": ["mcp:filesystem:read_file", "mcp:brave-search:search"]
    }
  }
}

Security Configuration

{
  "mcp": {
    "security": {
      "requireApproval": ["write_file", "delete_file", "execute_query"],
      "blockedTools": ["drop_table"],
      "maxCallsPerMinute": 30,
      "timeout": 10000
    }
  }
}

Tools in the requireApproval list prompt for user confirmation before execution.

Develop Custom MCP Servers

import { Server } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/index.js";
import { StdioServerTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/stdio.js";

const server = new Server({
  name: "my-tools",
  version: "1.0.0"
}, {
  capabilities: { tools: {} }
});

server.setRequestHandler("tools/list", async () => ({
  tools: [{
    name: "get_time",
    description: "Get the current time",
    inputSchema: { type: "object", properties: {} }
  }]
}));

server.setRequestHandler("tools/call", async (request) => {
  if (request.params.name === "get_time") {
    return { content: [{ type: "text", text: new Date().toISOString() }] };
  }
});

const transport = new StdioServerTransport();
await server.connect(transport);

Summary

MCP provides a standardized tool extension mechanism for OpenClaw. By connecting various MCP Servers, the AI assistant can access file systems, databases, external APIs, and more -- truly achieving the powerful combination of "AI + Tools."