SQLite (Node.js) MCP server

The MCP SQLite Server is a Node.js implementation of the Model Context Protocol SQLite server, providing an npx-based alternative for environments where Python's UVX runner isn't available. It allows Claude AI models to interact with SQLite databases through the Model Context Protocol.

Installation Options

Automatic Installation via Smithery

The easiest way to install the MCP SQLite Server for Claude Desktop is via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install mcp-server-sqlite-npx --client claude

Manual Installation

To set up the server manually, you'll need to add configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-server-sqlite-npx",
        "/absolute/path/to/database.db"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PATH": "/absolute/path/to/executables",
        "NODE_PATH": "/absolute/path/to/node_modules"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration Examples

Example for macOS with nvm:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "/Users/{username}/.nvm/versions/node/v22.12.0/bin/npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-server-sqlite-npx",
        "/Users/{username}/projects/database.db"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PATH": "/Users/{username}/.nvm/versions/node/v22.12.0/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin",
        "NODE_PATH": "/Users/{username}/.nvm/versions/node/v22.12.0/lib/node_modules"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example for Windows with nvm:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\npx.cmd",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-server-sqlite-npx",
        "C:\\Users\\{username}\\projects\\database.db"
      ],
      "env": {
        "PATH": "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs;%PATH%",
        "NODE_PATH": "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\node_modules"
      }
    }
  }
}

Testing the Server

Using MCP Inspector

You can test your server setup using the MCP Inspector tool:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js /absolute/path/to/database.db

After running this command, click "Connect" and go to "Tools" to start using the server.

Testing with Claude Desktop

For testing with Claude Desktop, add this configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/node",
      "args": [
        "/absolute/path/to/dist/index.js",
        "/absolute/path/to/database.db"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace the paths with your actual paths, for example:

• Node path: /Users/{username}/.nvm/versions/node/v20.18.1/bin/node
• Index.js path: /Users/{username}/projects/mcp-server-sqlite-npx/dist/index.js
• Database path: /Users/{username}/projects/database.db

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 "sqlite" '{"command":"npx","args":["-y","mcp-server-sqlite-npx","/absolute/path/to/database.db"]}'

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": {
        "sqlite": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "mcp-server-sqlite-npx",
                "/absolute/path/to/database.db"
            ]
        }
    }
}

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": {
        "sqlite": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "mcp-server-sqlite-npx",
                "/absolute/path/to/database.db"
            ]
        }
    }
}

3. Restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect