terminal-mcp-server 1.1.6
Smart terminal session management for AI assistants
License: MIT
Requires Python: >=3.10
Keywords: mcp, terminal, ai, cursor, automation, async

# Terminal MCP Server

[![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
[![Python 3.8+](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.8+-blue.svg)](https://www.python.org/downloads/)

> Smart terminal session management for AI assistants. Solve terminal blocking issues with async execution, auto cleanup, and real-time web monitoring.

**Support up to 64 concurrent terminals** with intelligent idle detection, system monitoring, and auto browser opening.

---

## ✨ Key Features

- 🚀 **Async Execution** - Commands never block AI operations
- 🔢 **Multi-Terminal** - Up to 64 concurrent sessions
- 🧹 **Auto Cleanup** - Intelligent idle session detection
- ⚡ **Broadcast** - Execute commands across multiple terminals
- 📊 **System Monitor** - Real-time CPU/Memory/GPU tracking
- 🌐 **Web Interface** - Auto-open browser with full terminal view
- 🖥️ **Smart Shell** - Auto-detect best shell (Git Bash > PowerShell > cmd)
- 🛑 **Resource Control** - One-click shutdown button

---

## 🚀 Quick Start

### Step 1: Add MCP Configuration

Add to your Cursor MCP config:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["terminal-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}
```

Or for Node.js:
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@kanniganfan/terminal-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Step 2: ⚠️ IMPORTANT - Add IDE Rule

**To make AI always use this MCP for terminal operations**, add this rule to your IDE's **Project Rules** or **User Rules**:

```
All terminal operations (read/write) must be proxied through the Terminal MCP.
Use MCP tools for all terminal commands instead of direct terminal access.
```

**In Cursor**:
- Settings → Rules → Add this rule
- Or in `.cursorrules` file in your project root

**Why this is important**:
- ✅ Prevents AI from getting stuck in terminal
- ✅ All commands run asynchronously
- ✅ Can monitor all terminals in web interface
- ✅ Better resource management

### Step 3: Restart Cursor

### Step 4: Start Using

In Cursor:
```
Create a terminal session named "dev"
Execute "npm run dev" in dev session
```

**Browser auto-opens** → View real-time output → Monitor system resources!

---

## 📊 Web Interface

Auto-opens at `http://localhost:18888`

### Dashboard Features

**Top Panel**:
- 📊 CPU Usage (real-time)
- 💾 Memory Usage (% + GB)
- 🖥️ GPU Info (Windows)
- 📈 Session Stats
- 🛑 **Shutdown Server Button**

**Layout**:
- **Left**: Terminal session list
- **Right**: Full-screen xterm.js terminal (click to expand)
- **Bottom**: Command input

### Actions

- Click session → Full terminal expands
- Type commands → Real-time execution
- Click 🛑 → Shutdown all sessions + release port

---

## 🛠️ Available MCP Tools

| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `create_session` | Create new terminal session |
| `execute_command` | Execute command (async, non-blocking) |
| `broadcast_command` | Execute across multiple terminals |
| `get_all_sessions` | List all sessions |
| `get_session_status` | Get session status |
| `get_output` | Get terminal output |
| `kill_session` | Terminate session |
| `cleanup_idle_sessions` | Clean idle sessions |
| `get_stats` | Get statistics |

---

## ⚙️ Configuration

Edit `config.json`:

```json
{
  "max_sessions": 64,
  "idle_timeout": 300,
  "auto_cleanup_interval": 60,
  "max_output_lines": 10000,
  "web_port": 18888,
  "auto_open_browser": true
}
```

---

## 🖥️ Smart Shell Detection

**Windows Priority**:
1. Git Bash (`C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe`)
2. PowerShell 7 / Windows PowerShell
3. cmd.exe (fallback)

**Linux/Mac**: Uses `$SHELL` environment variable

---

## 📁 Project Structure

```
terminal-mcp/
├── src/terminal_mcp_server/
│   ├── server.py          # Core MCP server (all-in-one)
│   └── config.json        # Default configuration
├── config.json            # User configuration
├── mcp_config_example.json # Cursor config template
├── requirements.txt       # Dependencies
└── README.md             # This file
```

---

## 🎯 Use Cases

### Development Workflow
```
1. Create "frontend" → npm run dev
2. Create "backend" → python manage.py runserver
3. Create "database" → docker-compose up
4. Monitor all in web interface
5. Click any terminal to view full output
```

### Batch Operations
```
1. Create 5 sessions
2. Broadcast "git status" to all
3. View results in web interface
```

### Long-running Tasks
```
1. Create session
2. Execute "npm run build"
3. AI continues other work
4. Check output anytime in browser
```

---

## 🛑 Resource Management

**When switching IDEs or done working**:

1. Open web interface
2. Click **🛑 Shutdown Server** button
3. All sessions terminated
4. Port 18888 released
5. Process fully exits

**No more port conflicts or resource leaks!**

---

## 📦 Installation

### Python Users (PyPI)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["terminal-mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}
```

### Node.js Users (npm)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@kanniganfan/terminal-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

Or install globally first:
```bash
npm install -g @kanniganfan/terminal-mcp
```

Then use:
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal": {
      "command": "terminal-mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

**No download, no install, just works!**

---

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

### Web Interface Not Opening

**Solution**: Manually visit `http://localhost:18888`

### Port Already in Use

**Solution**: 
1. Change `web_port` in config.json
2. Or click shutdown button in existing web interface

### Shell Not Detected

**Solution**: Check that Git Bash/PowerShell is installed

---

## 📄 License

MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) file

---

## 🤝 Contributing

Contributions welcome! See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)

---

## 🌟 Star History

If this helps you, please give it a star! ⭐

---

**Made with ❤️ for AI Assistants | [Report Issues](https://github.com/yourusername/terminal-mcp/issues)**