--- sidebar_position: 0 title: MCP Server description: Connect AI assistants to MotherDuck using the remote (fully managed) or local (fully customizable) MCP server --- # MotherDuck MCP server MotherDuck offers a **remote MCP server** (fully managed, read-write) and a [**local MCP server**](#local-mcp-server) (fully customizable, self-hosted) that let AI assistants query and explore your MotherDuck databases using the [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/). :::info Connection URL The remote MCP server is hosted at `https://api.motherduck.com/mcp`. Most clients connect through OAuth automatically; clients that need a manual configuration use this URL with an HTTP transport. ::: For step-by-step setup instructions for all supported clients (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code, and others), see [Connect to the MotherDuck MCP Server](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/mcp-setup/). ## Server capabilities With the remote MCP server, your agent can: - Execute read-only and read-write SQL against your databases - Explore database schemas, tables, and columns - Attach and detach [shares](/key-tasks/sharing-data/sharing-overview) - Ask questions about DuckDB and MotherDuck documentation - Create and manage [Dives](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/dives) (interactive data visualizations) - Render Dives inline in supported clients with the Dive Viewer MCP App, so you iterate against live data instead of a sample-data preview For clients that [support MCP instructions](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/clients#feature-support-matrix), the remote MCP server provides detailed [query guidelines](https://app.motherduck.com/assets/docs/mcp_server_instructions.md) to help AI assistants write effective DuckDB SQL. Learn more about [using the MotherDuck MCP server](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/mcp-workflows). ### Regional availability The remote MCP server is available in all MotherDuck regions. Requests are routed to the MCP server closest to where the client runs: - **Desktop clients** (Cursor, Claude Code): Routed based on your physical location - **Web-based agents** (Claude.ai, ChatGPT): Routed based on the agent provider's server location Your data is always processed in your MotherDuck organization's region. However, query results transit through the remote MCP server. If you have strict data residency requirements, ensure your MCP client runs within your region. ### Restricting to read-only access The remote MCP server exposes both read-only and read-write tools. To restrict your AI assistant to read-only access, see [Restricting to read-only access](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/securing-read-only-access/). ## Local MCP server For local DuckDB databases, custom configurations, or self-hosted scenarios, use the **local MCP server** ([mcp-server-motherduck](https://github.com/motherduckdb/mcp-server-motherduck)). For a comparison of remote vs local and when to use each, see the [setup guide](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/mcp-setup/#remote-vs-local-mcp-server). 📦 **Local MCP Server GitHub Repository** – Self-host the open-source MCP server for DuckDB and MotherDuck ## Related resources - [Connect to the MCP Server](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/mcp-setup/) - Setup instructions for all supported AI clients - [MCP Workflows Guide](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/mcp-workflows) - Tips and workflows for using the MotherDuck MCP server - [Building Analytics Agents](/key-tasks/ai-and-motherduck/building-analytics-agents) - Guide to building AI agents with MotherDuck - [MCP Specification (2025-06-18)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-06-18) - Official protocol documentation ## Included pages - [list_databases](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/list-databases): List all databases in your MotherDuck account - [list_shares](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/list-shares): List database shares that have been shared with you - [list_tables](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/list-tables): List tables and views in a MotherDuck database - [list_columns](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/list-columns): List columns of a table or view with types and comments - [search_catalog](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/search-catalog): Fuzzy search across databases, schemas, tables, columns, and shares - [query](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/query): Execute SQL queries against MotherDuck databases - [query_rw](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/query-rw): Execute SQL queries that can modify data or schema in MotherDuck - [ask_docs_question](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/ask-docs-question): Ask questions about DuckDB or MotherDuck documentation - [get_dive_guide](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/get-dive-guide): Load instructions for creating MotherDuck Dives - [list_dives](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/list-dives): List all Dives in your MotherDuck workspace - [read_dive](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/read-dive): Read a specific Dive by ID, including its full component code - [save_dive](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/save-dive): Save a new Dive to your MotherDuck workspace - [update_dive](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/update-dive): Update an existing Dive's title, description, or content - [share_dive_data](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/share-dive-data): Share the data for a Dive with your organization - [delete_dive](https://motherduck.com/docs/sql-reference/mcp/delete-dive): Permanently delete a Dive by ID --- ## Docs feedback MotherDuck accepts optional user-submitted feedback about this page at `POST https://motherduck.com/docs/api/feedback/agent`. For agents and automated tools, feedback submission should be user-confirmed before sending. Payload: ```json { "page_path": "/sql-reference/mcp/", "page_title": "MCP Server", "text": "", "source": "" } ``` `page_path` and `text` are required; `page_title` and `source` are optional. Responses: `200 {"feedback_id": ""}`, `400` for malformed payloads, and `429` when rate-limited.