GDB MCP server

This MCP GDB server provides remote application debugging capabilities through the MCP protocol, enabling AI assistants to help with debugging tasks. It offers GDB/MI protocol support with features for managing debug sessions, breakpoints, stack information, and program execution control.

Installation

Pre-built Binaries

You can download and use pre-built binaries:

1. Visit the release page on GitHub
2. Choose the binary appropriate for your platform
3. Download and run it directly

Building From Source

If you prefer to build from source:

cargo build --release
cargo run

Usage

Starting the Server

Run the server with the following command:

./mcp-server-gdb

Transport Modes

The server supports two transport modes:

• Stdio (default): Uses standard input/output for communication
• SSE: Uses Server-Sent Events, available at http://127.0.0.1:8080

Configuration

You can configure the server through environment variables:

• Server IP Address
• Server port
• GDB command timeout time (in seconds)

Working with MCP Tools

Session Management

Create and manage debugging sessions:

{
  "tool": "create_session",
  "parameters": {
    "program_path": "/path/to/your/executable"
  }
}

Other session commands:

• get_session - Get specific session information
• get_all_sessions - Get all sessions
• close_session - Close session

Debug Control

Control program execution:

{
  "tool": "start_debugging",
  "parameters": {
    "session_id": "your-session-id"
  }
}

Available control commands:

• stop_debugging - Stop debugging
• continue_execution - Continue execution
• step_execution - Step into next line
• next_execution - Step over next line

Breakpoint Management

Set and manage breakpoints:

{
  "tool": "set_breakpoint",
  "parameters": {
    "session_id": "your-session-id",
    "location": "main.cpp:42"
  }
}

Other breakpoint commands:

• get_breakpoints - Get breakpoint list
• delete_breakpoint - Delete breakpoint

Debug Information

Retrieve debugging information:

{
  "tool": "get_stack_frames",
  "parameters": {
    "session_id": "your-session-id"
  }
}

Additional information commands:

• get_local_variables - Get local variables
• get_registers - Get registers
• read_memory - Read memory contents

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 "gdb" '{"command":"mcp-server-gdb","args":[]}'

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": {
        "gdb": {
            "command": "mcp-server-gdb",
            "args": []
        }
    }
}

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": {
        "gdb": {
            "command": "mcp-server-gdb",
            "args": []
        }
    }
}

3. Restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect