Monkey MCP server

The Monkey MCP server provides a Model Context Protocol implementation that enables communication between various model-driven system components. It features tools for retrieving monkey data and generating simulated monkey journeys with activities.

Installation

Using Docker (Recommended)

The easiest way to get started is by using the Docker image. Configure it in VS Code with GitHub Copilot, Claude Desktop, or other MCP clients:

{
    "inputs": [],
    "servers": {
        "monkeymcp": {
            "command": "docker",
            "args": [
                "run",
                "-i",
                "--rm",
                "jamesmontemagno/monkeymcp"
            ],
            "env": {}
        }
    }
}

Running from Source

If you prefer to run from source, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have .NET 9.0 SDK or later installed
2. Build the project:

dotnet build

3. Configure with VS Code or other MCP clients:

"monkeyserver": {
    "type": "stdio",
    "command": "dotnet",
    "args": [
        "run",
        "--project",
        "/path/to/MonkeyMCP/MonkeyMCP.csproj"
    ]
}

Make sure to update the path to point to your project location.

Using the Server

Available Tools

The Monkey MCP server exposes several tools that can be invoked by clients:

Monkey Information Tools

• GetMonkeys: Returns a JSON serialized list of all available monkeys
• GetMonkey: Retrieves information about a specific monkey by name

Journey Simulation Tools

• GetMonkeyJourney: Creates a unique journey path with activities and health stats for a specific monkey
• GetAllMonkeyJourneys: Generates journey paths for all available monkeys

Server-Sent Events (SSE) Alternative

An alternative implementation using Server-Sent Events over HTTP is available:

1. Navigate to the MonkeyMCPSSE directory
2. Build and run the project
3. Connect using VS Code or MCP Inspector:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector

The SSE implementation runs on http://localhost:3001 by default.

Monkey Journey Features

The Monkey Journey tools generate rich simulations including:

Species-Specific Behaviors

• Baboons: Social grooming and savanna foraging
• Howler Monkeys: Territorial howling and leaf eating
• Japanese Macaques: Hot spring bathing and snow play
• Proboscis Monkeys: Swimming and mangrove exploration
• Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys: High-altitude acrobatics and huddling

Journey Data Components

• GPS coordinates showing travel paths
• Species-appropriate activities with energy impacts
• Health metrics (energy, happiness, hunger, etc.)
• Time tracking for activities
• Distance calculations

Each generated journey includes unique activities like banana eating, grooming, territory marking, and social interactions customized to the monkey's species.

How to install this MCP server

For Claude Code

To add this MCP server to Claude Code, run this command in your terminal:

claude mcp add-json "monkeymcp" '{"command":"docker","args":["run","-i","--rm","jamesmontemagno/monkeymcp"],"env":[]}'

See the official Claude Code MCP documentation for more details.

For Cursor

There are two ways to add an MCP server to Cursor. The most common way is to add the server globally in the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file so that it is available in all of your projects.

If you only need the server in a single project, you can add it to the project instead by creating or adding it to the .cursor/mcp.json file.

Adding an MCP server to Cursor globally

To add a global MCP server go to Cursor Settings > Tools & Integrations and click "New MCP Server".

When you click that button the ~/.cursor/mcp.json file will be opened and you can add your server like this:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "monkeymcp": {
            "command": "docker",
            "args": [
                "run",
                "-i",
                "--rm",
                "jamesmontemagno/monkeymcp"
            ],
            "env": []
        }
    }
}

Adding an MCP server to a project

To add an MCP server to a project you can create a new .cursor/mcp.json file or add it to the existing one. This will look exactly the same as the global MCP server example above.

How to use the MCP server

Once the server is installed, you might need to head back to Settings > MCP and click the refresh button.

The Cursor agent will then be able to see the available tools the added MCP server has available and will call them when it needs to.

You can also explicitly ask the agent to use the tool by mentioning the tool name and describing what the function does.

For Claude Desktop

To add this MCP server to Claude Desktop:

1. Find your configuration file:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

2. Add this to your configuration file:

{
    "mcpServers": {
        "monkeymcp": {
            "command": "docker",
            "args": [
                "run",
                "-i",
                "--rm",
                "jamesmontemagno/monkeymcp"
            ],
            "env": []
        }
    }
}

3. Restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect