Homebrew MCP Python Server
Manage Homebrew packages on macOS from Claude Desktop or Cursor — install, upgrade, search, and maintain.
Add to your client
Copy the config for your MCP client and paste it into its config file.
git clone https://github.com/jeannier/homebrew-mcpPaste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"homebrew-mcp-python-server": {
"command": "uv",
"args": [
"run",
"--directory",
"/path/to/your/project/",
"homebrew_mcp.py"
]
}
}
}Step-by-step guides: Add to Claude Desktop · Add to Cursor · Add to Windsurf
Before you start
- macOS
- Homebrew installed
- Python 3.13
- uv (install via: brew install uv)
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop or Cursor
About Homebrew MCP Python Server
Homebrew MCP Python Server exposes Homebrew package management as MCP tools so an LLM client like Claude Desktop or Cursor can install, upgrade, search, inspect, and maintain macOS packages on your behalf. It runs actual brew commands via subprocess over stdio (JSON-RPC 2.0), is implemented in functional Python 3.13, and uses uv for venv/dependency management. The repo also ships an interactive test script that drives the server through the Anthropic API to demonstrate dynamic tool discovery and multi-step tool calls.
Tools & capabilities (16)
installInstall a Homebrew package (runs brew install).
uninstallUninstall a Homebrew package (runs brew uninstall).
upgradeUpgrade installed package(s) to the latest version (runs brew upgrade).
cleanupRemove old versions and clean up cached downloads (runs brew cleanup).
listList installed formulae and casks (runs brew list).
searchSearch for available packages (runs brew search).
infoShow information about a package (runs brew info).
outdatedList installed packages that have newer versions available (runs brew outdated).
depsShow the dependencies of a package (runs brew deps).
doctorCheck the system for potential Homebrew problems (runs brew doctor).
updateUpdate Homebrew itself and its formula definitions (runs brew update).
tapAdd a third-party Homebrew tap / source (runs brew tap).
untapRemove a previously added tap (runs brew untap).
pinPin a package to prevent it from being upgraded (runs brew pin).
unpinUnpin a previously pinned package (runs brew unpin).
servicesManage background services for installed packages (runs brew services).
What this server can do
Homebrew MCP Python Server provides tools for these capabilities — tap one to see every MCP server that does the same:
When to use it
- Ask Claude to install or uninstall a package by name (e.g. 'install the wget package').
- Get a summary of all installed packages and suggestions for what else to install.
- Check for outdated packages and upgrade them.
- Run brew doctor to diagnose Homebrew problems and get guidance on fixes.
- Look up information and dependencies for a specific package before installing.
Security notes
Runs real `brew` commands via subprocess on your machine, including `install`, `uninstall`, `upgrade`, and `cleanup` — these mutate your system's installed packages. macOS only; requires Homebrew. No authentication or API key is required by the server itself.
Homebrew MCP Python Server FAQ
What platforms are supported?
macOS only. The server runs real `brew` commands via subprocess and requires Homebrew to be installed.
Does it require an API key?
No. The MCP server itself needs no authentication. An Anthropic API key is only needed if you run the optional interactive test script (test_claude_homebrew_mcp.py).
How do I add it to Claude Desktop?
Clone the repo and set up the uv venv, then add an entry under mcpServers in ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop.json with command 'uv' and args ['run', '--directory', '/path/to/your/project/', 'homebrew_mcp.py'], using the absolute path to your clone. Restart Claude Desktop.
Can I use it with Cursor?
Yes. After completing installation, use the 'Add to Cursor' deep link in the README, or edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json to point the command at your project path. Restart Cursor to activate.
How is it run?
It communicates over stdio using JSON-RPC 2.0 (MCP spec 2025-06-18). Claude Desktop launches it automatically via uv; you can also run it manually with `uv run python homebrew_mcp.py` for testing.
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