Turn any GraphQL API into MCP tools with zero config and zero code.
graphql-to-mcp
Turn any GraphQL API into MCP tools — zero config, zero code.
Point graphql-to-mcp at a GraphQL endpoint and it auto-generates one MCP tool per query/mutation via introspection. Works with Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and any MCP client.
Quick Start
Try it now — no install needed:
npx graphql-to-mcp https://countries.trevorblades.com/graphql
Or add to Claude Desktop / Cursor config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"countries": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "graphql-to-mcp", "https://countries.trevorblades.com/graphql"]
}
}
}
That's it. Claude can now query countries, continents, and languages.
Features
- Zero config — just provide a GraphQL endpoint URL
- Auto-introspection — discovers all queries and mutations automatically
- Flat parameter schemas — nested
inputobjects are flattened for better LLM accuracy - Smart truncation — large responses are intelligently pruned (array slicing + depth limiting)
- Auth support — Bearer tokens, API keys (header or query)
- Retry logic — automatic retries on 429/5xx with exponential backoff
- Include/exclude filters — expose only the operations you want
- Schema caching — skip re-introspection with
--schema-cachefor faster startup - Mutation safety — auto-detect destructive mutations (
delete*,remove*, etc.) and warn or block them
Usage
CLI
# Public API (no auth)
npx graphql-to-mcp https://countries.trevorblades.com/graphql
# With bearer token
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.github.com/graphql --bearer ghp_xxxxx
# With API key
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.example.com/graphql --api-key "X-API-Key:your-key:header"
# Filter operations
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.example.com/graphql --include "get*" --exclude "internal*"
# With prefix (avoid name collisions when using multiple APIs)
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.example.com/graphql --prefix myapi
# Cache schema locally for faster restarts
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.example.com/graphql --schema-cache ./schema.json
# Force re-introspection (ignore cache)
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.example.com/graphql --schema-cache ./schema.json --force-refresh
# Block destructive mutations (delete*, remove*, etc.)
npx graphql-to-mcp https://api.example.com/graphql --mutation-safety safe
Claude Desktop / Cursor Config
{
"mcpServers": {
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y", "graphql-to-mcp",
"https://api.github.com/graphql",
"--bearer", "ghp_xxxxx",
"--prefix", "github"
]
}
}
}
Programmatic
import { createServer } from "graphql-to-mcp";
const server = await createServer({
endpoint: "https://api.example.com/graphql",
auth: { type: "bearer", token: "xxx" },
include: ["getUser", "listUsers"],
});
How It Works
- Introspect — Fetches the GraphQL schema via introspection query
- Flatten — Nested
InputObjecttypes are flattened into simple key-value parameters (e.g.,input.name→input_name) - Generate — Each query/mutation becomes an MCP tool with a flat JSON Schema
- Execute — When an LLM calls a tool, the flat args are reconstructed into proper GraphQL variables and sent to your endpoint
Why Flat Schemas?
LLMs are significantly better at filling flat key-value parameters than deeply nested JSON objects. By flattening InputObject types, we get:
- Higher accuracy in parameter filling
- Fewer hallucinated nested structures
- Better compatibility across different LLM providers
Options
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
--bearer <token> |
Bearer token auth | — |
--api-key <name:value:in> |
API key auth | — |
-H, --header <name:value> |
Custom header (repeatable) | — |
--include |
Include only matching operations | all |
--exclude |
Exclude matching operations | none |
--prefix <name> |
Tool name prefix | — |
--timeout <ms> |
Request timeout | 30000 |
--max-retries <n> |
Retry on 429/5xx | 3 |
--transport <stdio|sse> |
MCP transport | stdio |
--schema-cache |
Save/load introspection cache | — |
--force-refresh |
Ignore cache, re-introspect | false |
--mutation-safety <mode> |
warn | safe | unrestricted |
warn |
Smart Truncation
GraphQL APIs can return large payloads that overwhelm LLM context windows. graphql-to-mcp automatically:
- Slices arrays to 20 items (with metadata showing total count)
- Prunes depth beyond 5 levels (with object/array summaries)
- **Hard truncate
Tools (1)
dynamic-graphql-operationsDynamically generated tools based on the GraphQL schema introspection of the provided endpoint.Configuration
{"mcpServers": {"my-api": {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "graphql-to-mcp", "https://api.example.com/graphql"]}}}