How to Set Up the OmniRoute MCP Server with Claude Desktop or Cursor

OmniRoute exposes 104 tools through a built-in MCP server that Claude Desktop and Cursor connect to via stdio transport using the omniroute --mcp command.

The OmniRoute platform ships with a native MCP (Multi-Client Protocol) server that acts as the bridge between AI coding assistants and the framework’s routing, caching, compression, and skill subsystems. When you set up the MCP server with Claude Desktop or Cursor, you unlock direct tool-calling capabilities for health checks, request routing, and combo management without leaving your IDE. This integration requires no additional networking configuration—just a simple executable path and flag.

Understanding the OmniRoute MCP Server Architecture

The MCP server implementation resides in open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts and serves as the central registry for OmniRoute’s tool suite. It supports three transport mechanisms to accommodate different deployment scenarios.

Core Implementation Details

In open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts, the server initializes the MCP protocol, registers 104 distinct tools, and wires the transport layer. The implementation enforces fine-grained scopes for multi-tenant environments, ensuring that API keys and permissions are validated before executing sensitive operations like route_request or list_combos.

Transport Options

The server supports three transports:

• stdio – Default for Claude Desktop and Cursor; the client spawns the OmniRoute process and communicates over standard input/output
• SSE – Server-Sent Events for persistent HTTP connections
• HTTP – Standard request/response for remote integrations

For local AI assistants like Claude Desktop and Cursor, stdio is the recommended transport because it requires no port configuration or network exposure.

Prerequisites and Installation

Before configuring your AI client, ensure OmniRoute is installed globally on your system:

npm i -g omniroute

Verify the installation by checking the version:

omniroute --version

Starting the MCP Server

Launch the MCP server in stdio mode—the transport expected by Claude Desktop and Cursor—using the --mcp flag:

omniroute --mcp

The process will log "MCP server listening on stdio" and enter a waiting state for client connections. Keep this process running; Claude Desktop or Cursor will manage its lifecycle automatically when configured correctly.

Configuring Claude Desktop and Cursor

Both Claude Desktop and Cursor expose a "MCP client configuration" interface in their settings panels. You must point the client to the OmniRoute executable and pass the required flag.

Claude Desktop Configuration

In Claude Desktop’s settings:

1. Navigate to the Developer or Extensions section
2. Add a new MCP server entry
3. Set the command to the full path of your OmniRoute binary (e.g., /usr/local/bin/omniroute)
4. Set the arguments to --mcp
5. Optionally specify a scope (such as default or a custom tenant scope defined in OmniRoute’s .env file)

Cursor Configuration

In Cursor’s MCP settings:

1. Open Settings > Features > MCP
2. Add a new server with the command: omniroute --mcp
3. Ensure the working directory matches your OmniRoute installation path if using relative configurations

The client spawns the OmniRoute process and maintains a stdio connection. No HTTP endpoints or port mappings are required for local usage.

How the Integration Works

When Claude Desktop or Cursor sends a tool call, the flow follows this pattern:

Claude Desktop / Cursor   →   stdio transport   →   OmniRoute MCP server   →   Core services

The MCP server in open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts receives the request, validates the scope, and dispatches to the appropriate handler. Common tool calls include:

• get_health – Returns the system status and cache statistics
• list_combos – Enumerates available routing combinations
• route_request – Executes the core routing logic defined in src/app/api/v1/*

Responses stream back through the same stdio connection, appearing natively in your AI assistant’s interface.

Summary

• OmniRoute provides a built-in MCP server in open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts that exposes 104 tools over stdio, SSE, or HTTP transports.
• Start the server with omniroute --mcp to enable stdio communication for Claude Desktop and Cursor.
• Configure your AI client to execute the OmniRoute binary with the --mcp flag; no network ports or additional middleware are required.
• The integration supports scoped, multi-tenant access and provides direct access to routing, caching, and health monitoring tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What transports does the OmniRoute MCP server support?

OmniRoute supports three transports: stdio (for local IDE integration with Claude Desktop and Cursor), SSE (Server-Sent Events for persistent connections), and HTTP (for remote API-style access). According to the source code in open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts, all three transports are registered during server initialization, though stdio is the default and recommended method for desktop AI clients.

Where is the MCP server implementation located in the codebase?

The core implementation lives in open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts, which handles tool registration, transport wiring, and scope enforcement. Documentation for the server’s architecture and transport specifications can be found in docs/frameworks/MCP-SERVER.md, while step-by-step client configuration instructions are detailed in docs/guides/USER_GUIDE.md under the "Connect Claude Desktop" section.

How do I configure scopes for multi-tenant usage?

When starting the server with omniroute --mcp, you can define scopes in your OmniRoute .env configuration file or pass them through the client’s scope field. The server implementation validates these scopes before executing protected tools like route_request, ensuring isolated access for different API keys or user contexts.

Can I run the MCP server over HTTP instead of stdio?

Yes. While stdio is the standard for Claude Desktop and Cursor, you can configure the server to listen on HTTP or SSE transports by modifying the transport configuration in open-sse/mcp-server/server.ts or using environment variables defined in the framework documentation. This is useful for remote deployments where the AI client connects to a hosted OmniRoute instance rather than a local process.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}