About MsSqlMCP
MsSqlMCP is an MCP server for SQL Server users and database administrators to inspect schemas and run read-only queries. It supports stdio and HTTP/SSE transports and blocks query operations that could modify data.
Key features
- 01Discover tables and columns
- 02Inspect relationships and procedures
- 03Run validated SELECT queries
- 04stdio and HTTP/SSE transports
- 05Windows Service deployment
Use cases
- 01Explore an unfamiliar database schema
- 02Retrieve read-only query results
- 03Provide database inspection to MCP clients
MCP support
Exposes schema inspection and read-only SQL tools to MCP clients over stdio or HTTP/SSE.
Configuration
Local server config is the same for every client. Copy it into your client’s MCP config file.
We haven’t collected a package or remote endpoint for this server. Follow the instructions in the project README.
Tools
Local servers expose tools only once running on your machine, and the maintainer has not provided a tool list.
Details
From the project READMEMsSqlMCP
MCP Server for SQL Server database schema inspection and read-only query execution.
Features
- Read-only access: All queries are validated to prevent data modification (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, DROP, EXEC, etc. are blocked)
- Schema discovery: Tables, columns, relationships, and stored procedures
- SQL execution: Safe SELECT queries only
- Dual transport: Supports both stdio and HTTP/SSE protocols
- Windows Service: Can run as a Windows Service for production deployments
- MCP Protocol: Compatible with VS Code Copilot, Claude Desktop, and other MCP clients
Prerequisites
- .NET 10 (or .NET 9 with minor adjustments)
- SQL Server
Architecture
The project follows SOLID principles with dependency injection:
MsSqlMCP/
├── Program.cs # Entry point with DI and dual transport
├── SchemaTool.cs # MCP tool definitions
├── Interfaces/
│ ├── IConnectionFactory.cs # SQL connection abstraction
│ ├── IQueryExecutor.cs # Query execution abstraction
│ ├── ISchemaRepository.cs # Schema queries abstraction
│ └── ISqlQueryValidator.cs # Query validation abstraction
├── Services/
│ ├── SqlConnectionFactory.cs # Connection management
│ ├── SafeQueryExecutor.cs # Validated query execution
│ ├── SchemaRepository.cs # Schema query implementation
│ └── ReadOnlySqlQueryValidator.cs # Security validation (27 blocked keywords)
└── Tests/
└── ReadOnlySqlQueryValidatorTests.cs # 42 security tests
Configuration
Connection String
Edit appsettings.json:
{
"ConnectionStrings": {
"DefaultConnection": "Data Source=(local);Initial Catalog=YourDatabase;Encrypt=False;Trusted_Connection=True;MultipleActiveResultSets=true"
},
"Urls": "http://localhost:5000"
}
Running
Console Mode (Development)
# Run with both stdio and HTTP transports
dotnet run
# Run with HTTP transport only (for debugging)
dotnet run -- --http-only
Run Tests
dotnet test --filter "FullyQualifiedName~Tests"
MCP Client Configuration
Option 1: stdio Transport (VS Code)
Add to your VS Code settings.json:
{
"mcp": {
"servers": {
"MsSqlMCP": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "dotnet",
"args": ["run", "--project", "c:\\path\\to\\MsSqlMCP.csproj"]
}
}
}
}
Option 2: HTTP Transport (VS Code)
First, start the server:
dotnet run -- --http-only
Then add to your VS Code settings.json:
{
"mcp": {
"servers": {
"MsSqlMCP": {
"type": "http",
"url": "http://localhost:5000/sse",
"autoApprove": [
"get_tables",
"get_columns",
"get_relationships",
"execute_sql",
"get_store_procedure"
]
}
}
}
}
Option 3: Claude Desktop
Add to claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"MsSqlMCP": {
"command": "dotnet",
"args": ["run", "--project", "c:\\path\\to\\MsSqlMCP.csproj"]
}
}
}
Available Tools
| Tool | Description | Required Parameters |
|---|---|---|
GetTables | Get all table names in the database | None |
GetColumns | Get columns (fields) for a specific table | tableName |
GetRelationships | Get foreign key relationships between tables | None |
GetStoreProcedure | Get stored procedure definition | spName |
ExecuteSql | Execute a read-only SELECT query | sqlQuery |
All tools accept an optional databaseName parameter to query different databases in the same SQL Server instance.
Security
The ExecuteSql tool only allows SELECT queries. The following statements are blocked:
- DML: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, MERGE, TRUNCATE
- DDL: CREATE, ALTER, DROP
- DCL: GRANT, REVOKE, DENY
- Execution: EXEC, EXECUTE, SP_EXECUTESQL, XP_
- Others: BACKUP, RESTORE, BULK, OPENROWSET, OPENQUERY, OPENDATASOURCE
Windows Service Installation
1. Publish the Application
On your development machine:
cd c:\path\to\MsSqlMCP
dotnet publish -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained true
This creates files in: bin\Release\net10.0\win-x64\publish\
2. Copy to Server
Copy the contents of the publish folder to the server:
Source: bin\Release\net10.0\win-x64\publish\*
Destination: C:\Services\MsSqlMCP\
3. Configure on Server
Edit C:\Services\MsSqlMCP\appsettings.json with your SQL Server connection string:
{
"ConnectionStrings": {
"DefaultConnection": "Data Source=YOUR_SQL_SERVER;Initial Catalog=YOUR_DATABASE;Encrypt=False;Trusted_Connection=True;MultipleActiveResultSets=true"
},
"Urls": "http://localhost:5000"
}
4. Install the Service
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
# Create the Windows Service
sc.exe create MsSqlMCP binPath= "C:\Services\MsSqlMCP\MsSqlMCP.exe --http-only" start= auto DisplayName= "MsSql MCP Server"
# Add description
sc.exe description MsSqlMCP "Model Context Protocol server for SQL Server database inspection"
# Create logs directory
mkdir C:\Services\MsSqlMCP\logs -Force
# Start the service
net start MsSqlMCP
# Verify status
sc.exe query MsSqlMCP
5. Verify Installation
# Check service status
Get-Service -Name MsSqlMCP
# Test the endpoint
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "http://localhost:5000/sse/tools"
Service Management Commands
# Stop service
net stop MsSqlMCP
# Start service
net start MsSqlMCP
# Restart service
net stop MsSqlMCP; net start MsSqlMCP
# Uninstall service
net stop MsSqlMCP
sc.exe delete MsSqlMCP
Firewall Configuration (if accessing remotely)
# Allow inbound traffic on port 5000
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "MsSqlMCP" -Direction Inbound -Port 5000 -Protocol TCP -Action Allow
HTTP API Endpoints
When running in HTTP mode, the following endpoints are available:
| Endpoint | Method | Description |
|---|---|---|
/sse | GET | SSE stream for MCP protocol |
/sse/tools | GET | List all available tools |
/sse/invoke | POST | Invoke a tool |
Example: Invoke Tool via HTTP
curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/sse/invoke \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"Tool": "GetTables", "Params": {}}'
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri "http://localhost:5000/sse/invoke" -Method POST -ContentType "application/json" -Body '{"Tool": "GetTables", "Params": {}}'
Troubleshooting
Service won't start
- Check logs in
C:\Services\MsSqlMCP\logs\ - Verify connection string in
appsettings.json - Ensure SQL Server is accessible from the service account
- Run manually to see errors:
C:\Services\MsSqlMCP\MsSqlMCP.exe --http-only
Connection issues
- Verify SQL Server is running
- Check firewall rules for SQL Server port (1433)
- If using Windows Authentication, ensure the service account has database access
Port already in use
Change the port in appsettings.json:
{
"Urls": "http://localhost:5001"
}
License
MIT
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