About MySQL Database Access MCP Server
MySQL Database Access MCP Server is a read-only MCP server for MySQL databases. It lets clients list databases and tables, inspect schemas and run read-only queries, with validation, timeouts and row limits for safer access.
Key features
- 01List accessible databases and tables
- 02Describe table schemas
- 03Run read-only SELECT, SHOW, DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN queries
- 04Query timeout and row limit
- 05BIGINT and DECIMAL values returned as strings
- 06Configurable connection pool settings
Use cases
- 01Letting an AI assistant explore database structure
- 02Querying business data without modifying it
- 03Providing a read-only SQL entry point for data analysis
MCP support
This is an MCP server that exposes list_databases, list_tables, describe_table and execute_query tools to MCP clients.
Configuration
Local server config is the same for every client. Copy it into your client’s MCP config file.
Tools
Local servers expose tools only once running on your machine, and the maintainer has not provided a tool list.
Details
From the project READMEMySQL Database Access MCP Server
This MCP server provides read-only access to MySQL databases. It allows you to:
- List available databases
- List tables in a database
- Describe table schemas
- Execute read-only SQL queries
Security Features
- Read-only access: Only SELECT, SHOW, DESCRIBE, and EXPLAIN statements are allowed; file-capable
SELECT INTOandLOAD_FILEforms are rejected - Query validation: Prevents SQL injection and blocks any data modification attempts
- Query timeout: Prevents long-running queries from consuming resources
- Row limit: Prevents excessive data return
- Exact large numbers: BIGINT and DECIMAL values are returned as strings to prevent precision loss
Installation
1. Install using one of these methods:
Install from NPM
# Install globally
npm install -g mysql-mcp-server
# Or install locally in your project
npm install mysql-mcp-server
Build from Source
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/dpflucas/mysql-mcp-server.git
cd mysql-mcp-server
# Install dependencies and build
npm install
npm run build
2. Configure environment variables
The server requires the following environment variables:
MYSQL_HOST: Database server hostnameMYSQL_PORT: Database server port (default: 3306)MYSQL_USER: Database usernameMYSQL_PASSWORD: Database password (optional, but recommended for secure connections)MYSQL_DATABASE: Default database name (optional)
3. Add to MCP settings
Add the following configuration to your MCP settings file:
If you installed via npm (Option 1):
{
"mcpServers": {
"mysql": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mysql-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"MYSQL_HOST": "your-mysql-host",
"MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
"MYSQL_USER": "your-mysql-user",
"MYSQL_PASSWORD": "your-mysql-password",
"MYSQL_DATABASE": "your-default-database"
},
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": []
}
}
}
If you built from source (Option 2):
{
"mcpServers": {
"mysql": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/mysql-mcp-server/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"MYSQL_HOST": "your-mysql-host",
"MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
"MYSQL_USER": "your-mysql-user",
"MYSQL_PASSWORD": "your-mysql-password",
"MYSQL_DATABASE": "your-default-database"
},
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": []
}
}
}
Available Tools
list_databases
Lists all accessible databases on the MySQL server.
Parameters: None
Example:
{
"server_name": "mysql",
"tool_name": "list_databases",
"arguments": {}
}
list_tables
Lists all tables in a specified database.
Parameters:
database(optional): Database name (uses default if not specified)
Example:
{
"server_name": "mysql",
"tool_name": "list_tables",
"arguments": {
"database": "my_database"
}
}
describe_table
Shows the schema for a specific table.
Parameters:
database(optional): Database name (uses default if not specified)table(required): Table name
Example:
{
"server_name": "mysql",
"tool_name": "describe_table",
"arguments": {
"database": "my_database",
"table": "my_table"
}
}
execute_query
Executes a read-only SQL query.
Parameters:
query(required): SQL query (only SELECT, SHOW, DESCRIBE, and EXPLAIN statements are allowed)database(optional): Database name (uses default if not specified)
Example:
{
"server_name": "mysql",
"tool_name": "execute_query",
"arguments": {
"database": "my_database",
"query": "SELECT * FROM my_table LIMIT 10"
}
}
Advanced Connection Pool Configuration
For more control over the MySQL connection pool behavior, you can configure additional parameters:
{
"mcpServers": {
"mysql": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mysql-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"MYSQL_HOST": "your-mysql-host",
"MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
"MYSQL_USER": "your-mysql-user",
"MYSQL_PASSWORD": "your-mysql-password",
"MYSQL_DATABASE": "your-default-database",
"MYSQL_CONNECTION_LIMIT": "10",
"MYSQL_QUEUE_LIMIT": "0",
"MYSQL_CONNECT_TIMEOUT": "10000",
"MYSQL_IDLE_TIMEOUT": "60000",
"MYSQL_MAX_IDLE": "10"
},
"disabled": false,
"autoApprove": []
}
}
}
These advanced options allow you to:
MYSQL_CONNECTION_LIMIT: Control the maximum number of connections in the pool (default: 10)MYSQL_QUEUE_LIMIT: Set the maximum number of connection requests to queue (default: 0, unlimited)MYSQL_CONNECT_TIMEOUT: Adjust the connection timeout in milliseconds (default: 10000)MYSQL_IDLE_TIMEOUT: Configure how long a connection can be idle before being released (in milliseconds)MYSQL_MAX_IDLE: Set the maximum number of idle connections to keep in the pool
Testing
The server includes test scripts to verify functionality with your MySQL setup:
1. Setup Test Database
This script creates a test database, table, and sample data:
# Set your MySQL credentials as environment variables
export MYSQL_HOST=localhost
export MYSQL_PORT=3306
export MYSQL_USER=your_username
export MYSQL_PASSWORD=your_password
# Run the setup script
npm run test:setup
2. Test MCP Tools
This script tests each of the MCP tools against the test database:
# Set your MySQL credentials as environment variables
export MYSQL_HOST=localhost
export MYSQL_PORT=3306
export MYSQL_USER=your_username
export MYSQL_PASSWORD=your_password
export MYSQL_DATABASE=mcp_test_db
# Run the tools test script
npm run test:tools
3. Run All Tests
To run both setup and tool tests:
# Set your MySQL credentials as environment variables
export MYSQL_HOST=localhost
export MYSQL_PORT=3306
export MYSQL_USER=your_username
export MYSQL_PASSWORD=your_password
# Run all tests
npm test
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues:
- Check the server logs for error messages
- Verify your MySQL credentials and connection details
- Ensure your MySQL user has appropriate permissions
- Check that your query is read-only and properly formatted
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
Comments
New to MCP?
From what the protocol is to installing your first server, these answers cover most first questions.
An open protocol that defines how AI applications connect to external tools and data in a uniform way. Clients talk to the model; MCP servers provide tools, resources and prompt templates. They exchange standard messages, so one server can be reused by many clients.