mcp server for unix pty control
Created at 5 months ago
by ianks
The native MCP server for Unix PTY control gives AI models authentic, low-latency terminal access by spawning true pseudo-terminals—not brittle AppleScript hacks—so you can open persistent Bash, Python, or SSH sessions, run commands like “ssh prod.server,” and stream only fresh output thanks to smart buffering. Built on Tokio for fully asynchronous, non-blocking I/O, the service supports multi-session workflows, letting developers switch between concurrent prod-debug shells without interruption while JSON-RPC endpoints such as tools/call create_session handle lifecycle automation. This combination of real PTYs, session persistence, and high-performance async design makes the MCP server an ideal foundation for DevOps automation, cloud debugging, and AI-driven terminal orchestration.
Categories
Tags
terminal
shell
bash
rust

what is terminal-mcp?
Terminal-mcp is a native MCP server for Unix PTY control that provides AI models with authentic, low-latency terminal access by spawning true pseudo-terminals. It allows users to open persistent Bash, Python, or SSH sessions, run commands, and stream only fresh output thanks to smart buffering.
how to use terminal-mcp?
To use terminal-mcp, you can create a session by sending a JSON-RPC request to the server with the desired command. For example, to create a session for SSH, you would send a request with the command ssh prod.server.
key features of terminal-mcp?
- True pseudo-terminals for real Unix terminal interaction.
- Asynchronous, non-blocking I/O powered by Tokio.
- Smart buffering to avoid duplicate outputs.
- Session persistence to keep terminals alive between calls.
- Multi-session support to run and switch between multiple terminals.
use cases of terminal-mcp?
- Automating DevOps tasks through AI-driven terminal orchestration.
- Cloud debugging with persistent terminal sessions.
- Running multiple concurrent production and debugging shells without interruption.
FAQ from terminal-mcp?
- Can terminal-mcp handle multiple sessions?
Yes! Terminal-mcp supports multi-session workflows, allowing you to run and switch between multiple terminals at once.
- Is terminal-mcp suitable for AI applications?
Absolutely! Terminal-mcp is designed to provide AI models with real terminal access for various tasks.
- How do I install terminal-mcp?
You can install terminal-mcp using Cargo with the command:
cargo install --git https://github.com/ianks/terminal-mcp.
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