# MCP Client

Universal MCP client for connecting to any MCP server with progressive disclosure.

- Repository: https://github.com/coleam00/second-brain-skills (837 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-01-24
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add coleam00/second-brain-skills --skill mcp-client -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add coleam00/second-brain-skills --skill mcp-client -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add coleam00/second-brain-skills --skill mcp-client -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add coleam00/second-brain-skills --skill mcp-client -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Universal MCP client for connecting to any MCP server with progressive disclosure. Wraps MCP servers as skills to avoid context window bloat from tool definitions. Use when interacting with external MCP servers (Zapier, Sequential Thinking, GitHub, filesystem, etc.), listing available tools, or executing MCP tool calls. Triggers on requests like "connect to Zapier", "use MCP server", "list MCP tools", "call Zapier action", "use sequential thinking", or any MCP server interaction.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Universal MCP Client

Connect to any MCP server with progressive disclosure - load tool schemas on-demand instead of dumping thousands of tokens into context upfront.

## Skill Location

This skill is located at: `.claude/skills/mcp-client/`

**Script path:** `.claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py`

## Configuration

The script looks for config in this order:
1. `MCP_CONFIG_PATH` env var (custom path)
2. **`references/mcp-config.json`** (this skill's config - recommended)
3. `.mcp.json` in project root
4. `~/.claude.json`

**Your config file:** `.claude/skills/mcp-client/references/mcp-config.json`

Edit this file to add your API keys. The example file (`example-mcp-config.json`) is kept as a reference template.

**If the user hasn't provided their Zapier API key yet, ask them for it.**

## Running Commands

All commands use the script at `.claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py`:

```bash
# List configured servers
python .claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py servers

# List tools from a server
python .claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py tools <server_name>

# Call a tool
python .claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py call <server> <tool> '{"arg": "value"}'
```

## Workflow

1. **Check config exists** - Run `servers` command. If error, create `.mcp.json`
2. **List servers** - See what MCP servers are configured
3. **List tools** - Get tool schemas from a specific server
4. **Call tool** - Execute a tool with arguments

## Commands Reference

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `servers` | List all configured MCP servers |
| `tools <server>` | List tools with full parameter schemas |
| `call <server> <tool> '<json>'` | Execute a tool with arguments |

## Example: Zapier

```bash
# 1. List servers to confirm Zapier is configured
python .claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py servers

# 2. List Zapier tools
python .claude/skills/mcp-client/scripts/mcp_client.py tools zapier

The rest: https://github.com/coleam00/second-brain-skills/blob/HEAD/.claude/skills/mcp-client/SKILL.md