matlab-mcp-server

# MATLAB MCP Server > Skill by [ara.so](https://ara.so) — MCP Skills collection. The MATLAB MCP Server is the official MathWorks server that enables AI applications to start MATLAB, execute MATLAB code, and assess code quality through the Model Context Protocol. It supports multiple session modes, custom working directories, and both desktop and headless MATLAB operation. ## Installation ### Prerequisites - MATLAB R2021a or later installed and added to system PATH - The server supports MATLAB releases from the past five years ### For Claude Code ```bash # Basic installation claude mcp add --transport stdio matlab -- /path/to/matlab-mcp-server # With custom working folder claude mcp add --transport stdio matlab -- /path/to/matlab-mcp-server --initial-working-folder=/home/user/project # With nodesktop mode claude mcp add --transport stdio matlab -- /path/to/matlab-mcp-server --matlab-display-mode=nodesktop ``` ### For Claude Desktop 1. Install the Filesystem extension in Claude Desktop (Settings > Extensions > Browse extensions) 2. Download `matlab-mcp-server.mcpb` from the [latest release](https://github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-server/releases/latest) 3. Double-click the `.mcpb` file and click Install ### For VS Code with GitHub Copilot Create `.vscode/mcp.json`: ```json { "servers": { "matlab": { "type": "stdio", "command": "/path/to/matlab-mcp-server", "args": [ "--initial-working-folder=/home/user/project", "--matlab-display-mode=nodesktop" ] } } } ``` ### Download Binary **Linux/macOS:** ```bash # macOS Apple Silicon curl -L -o ~/Downloads/matlab-mcp-server https://github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-server/releases/latest/download/matlab-mcp-server-macos-amd64 chmod +x ~/Downloads/matlab-mcp-server # macOS Intel curl -L -o ~/Downloads/matlab-mcp-server https://github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-server/releases/latest/download/matlab-mcp-server-macos-x64 chmod +x ~/Downloads/matlab-mcp-server ``` **Windows:** Download from [releases page](https://github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-server/releases/latest): `matlab-mcp-server-windows-x64.exe` **Build from source:** ```bash go install github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-server/cmd/matlab-mcp-server@latest ``` ## Configuration Arguments ### Command-Line Flags ```bash # Specify MATLAB installation --matlab-root=/usr/local/MATLAB/R2026a # Initialize MATLAB immediately on startup --initialize-matlab-on-startup=true # Set working directory --initial-working-folder=/home/user/myproject # Run without MATLAB desktop --matlab-display-mode=nodesktop # Session modes --matlab-session-mode=new # Always start new MATLAB --matlab-session-mode=auto # Connect to existing or start new (default) --matlab-session-mode=existing # Only connect to existing MATLAB ``` ### Environment Variables ```bash # Equivalent to --matlab-root export MW_MCP_SERVER_MATLAB_ROOT=/usr/local/MATLAB/R2026a # Equivalent to --initial-working-folder export MW_MCP_SERVER_INITIAL_WORKING_FOLDER=/home/user/project # Equivalent to --matlab-display-mode export MW_MCP_SERVER_MATLAB_DISPLAY_MODE=nodesktop # Equivalent to --matlab-session-mode export MW_MCP_SERVER_MATLAB_SESSION_MODE=existing ``` ### Using Existing MATLAB Sessions For MATLAB R2023a and later: 1. **First-time setup:** ```bash ./matlab-mcp-server --setup-matlab ``` This installs the MATLAB MCP Server Toolbox. 2. **In MATLAB command window:** ```matlab shareMATLABSession() ``` Add this to your MATLAB `startup.m` for automatic sharing: ```matlab % In startup.m shareMATLABSession() ``` 3. **Configure MCP server:** ```bash claude mcp add --transport stdio matlab -- /path/to/matlab-mcp-server --matlab-session-mode=existing ``` ## MCP Tools Available The server exposes these tools to AI applications: ### execute_matlab_code Execute MATLAB code and return results. **Request:** ```json { "name": "execute_matlab_code", "arguments": { "code": "result = sum([1, 2, 3, 4, 5]); disp(result)" } } ``` **Response:** ```json { "content": [ { "type": "text", "text": "15" } ] } ``` ### evaluate_matlab_expression Evaluate a MATLAB expression and return the result. **Request:** ```json { "name": "evaluate_matlab_expression", "arguments": { "expression": "sqrt(144)" } } ``` **Response:** ```json { "content": [ { "type": "text", "text": "12" } ] } ``` ### check_matlab_code Assess MATLAB code for style and correctness using Code Analyzer. **Request:** ```json { "name": "check_matlab_code", "arguments": { "code": "function y = myFunc(x)\ny = x * 2\nend" } } ``` **Response:** ```json { "content": [ { "type": "text", "text": "Line 2: Add a semicolon after the statement to hide the output (when it is not the intent)." } ] } ``` ## Common Usage Patterns ### Basic Script Execution ```matlab % Simple calculation A = [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 9]; eigenvalues = eig(A); disp(eigenvalues); ``` ### Working with Files ```matlab % Save data to file data = rand(100, 3); save('mydata.mat', 'data'); % Load and process load('mydata.mat'); mean_values = mean(data); writematrix(mean_values, 'results.csv'); ``` ### Plotting and Visualization ```matlab % Create and save a plot x = linspace(0, 2*pi, 100); y = sin(x); figure; plot(x, y); title('Sine Wave'); xlabel('x'); ylabel('sin(x)'); saveas(gcf, 'sine_plot.png'); ``` ### Matrix Operations ```matlab % Linear algebra operations A = magic(5); b = sum(A, 2); x = A \ b; % Solve Ax = b % Check solution residual = norm(A*x - b); fprintf('Residual: %.2e\n', residual); ``` ### Signal Processing ```matlab % Generate and filter signal Fs = 1000; % Sampling frequency t = 0:1/Fs:1-1/Fs; signal = sin(2*pi*50*t) + 0.5*randn(size(t)); % Apply low-pass filter [b, a] = butter(6, 100/(Fs/2)); filtered = filter(b, a, signal); % Compute FFT Y = fft(filtered); P2 = abs(Y/length(filtered)); P1 = P2(1:length(filtered)/2+1); ``` ### Data Analysis ```matlab % Statistical analysis data = readtable('data.csv'); summary_stats = grpstats(data, 'Category', {'mean', 'std', 'median'}); % Correlation analysis R = corrcoef(data{:, 2:end}); % Linear regression mdl = fitlm(data, 'ResponseVar ~ Predictor1 + Predictor2'); disp(mdl); ``` ### Custom Functions ```matlab % Define reusable function function [mean_val, std_val] = analyzeData(data) mean_val = mean(data, 'omitnan'); std_val = std(data, 'omitnan'); % Visualize figure; histogram(data, 30); title(sprintf('Mean: %.2f, Std: %.2f', mean_val, std_val)); end % Use the function results = rand(1000, 1) * 100; [m, s] = analyzeData(results); ``` ### Simulink Integration ```matlab % Load and simulate Simulink model load_system('mymodel'); simOut = sim('mymodel', 'StopTime', '10'); % Extract and plot results time = simOut.tout; output = simOut.yout; plot(time, output); ``` ## Troubleshooting ### MATLAB Not Found **Problem:** Server cannot locate MATLAB installation. **Solution:** ```bash # Explicitly specify MATLAB root --matlab-root=/Applications/MATLAB_R2026a.app # macOS --matlab-root=/usr/local/MATLAB/R2026a # Linux --matlab-root=C:\\Program Files\\MATLAB\\R2026a # Windows # Or set environment variable export MW_MCP_SERVER_MATLAB_ROOT=/usr/local/MATLAB/R2026a ``` ### Connection to Existing Session Fails **Problem:** Cannot connect with `--matlab-session-mode=existing` **Solution:** 1. Ensure MATLAB MCP Server Toolbox is installed: ```bash ./matlab-mcp-server --setup-matlab ``` 2. In MATLAB, run: ```matlab shareMATLABSession() ``` 3. Verify connection status: ```matlab status = shareMATLABSession('status') ``` ### Path Issues **Problem:** MATLAB cannot find scripts or data files. **Solution:** ```matlab % Check current directory pwd % Change directory cd('/path/to/project') % Add to path addpath('/path/to/scripts'); addpath(genpath('/path/to/project')); % Include subdirectories ``` ### Graphics/Desktop Issues **Problem:** Commands requiring GUI fail in `nodesktop` mode. **Solution:** Graphics commands still work in `nodesktop` mode, but if issues persist: ```bash # Switch to desktop mode --matlab-display-mode=desktop ``` ### Memory Issues **Problem:** Out of memory errors with large datasets. **Solution:** ```matlab % Clear workspace clear all % Close figures close all % Use memory-efficient operations % Instead of loading entire file: data = load('largefile.mat'); % Use memory mapping: m = memmapfile('largefile.dat', 'Format', 'double'); ``` ### Code Execution Timeout **Problem:** Long-running code appears to hang. **Solution:** ```matlab % Add progress indicators for i = 1:1000 % Process if mod(i, 100) == 0 fprintf('Progress: %d/1000\n', i); end end % Use parallel processing for large tasks parfor i = 1:1000 % Parallel computation end ``` ### Version Compatibility **Problem:** Functions not available in older MATLAB versions. **Solution:** ```matlab % Check MATLAB version ver('MATLAB') % Conditional code based on version if verLessThan('matlab', '9.10') % R2021a warning('Some features require R2021a or later'); end ``` ## Advanced Configuration ### Custom Tools Extension Create custom MCP tools by providing a JSON extension file: ```bash --extension-file=/path/to/my-tools.json ``` For details, see the [Custom Tools Guide](https://github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-server/blob/main/guides/custom-tools.md). ### Multiple MATLAB Versions ```bash # Development with latest MATLAB