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MATLAB MCP Server by MathWorks: Setup for Claude, Cursor and Other Apps

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Getmatlab/matlab-mcp-server
Tools
5
2 read · 3 change
Stars
1.7K
on GitHub
Works in
12
apps
Risk
High
can write
Auth
None

Lets Claude, Codex, Copilot and other assistants run MATLAB code, run tests and check your scripts on your own MATLAB install.

This is MathWorks' own server. It starts MATLAB on your computer, so your assistant can run code, run test files, check a script for problems and list your toolboxes. You need MATLAB R2021a or later with a valid license.

It can run any MATLAB code the assistant writes, so review calls before you approve them. MathWorks says the server must not be shared by several users.

Good for

  • Engineers and scientists who write MATLAB with an AI assistant
  • Students running and testing MATLAB scripts
  • Teams that want code checks and unit tests run from their coding agent

Works in

12 should work

Tap an app to see how to set it up and any known problems.

Install MATLAB MCP

Claude Code

  1. 1

    Copy this prompt.

    Add the MATLAB MCP server to Claude Code. Run this command:

claude mcp add matlab -- /fullpath/to/matlab-mcp-server-binary

Then check that it loaded and tell me if I need to sign in or restart.
  2. 2

    Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires MATLAB R2021a+ on PATH, matlab-mcp-server binary.

Read-only mode: There is no read-only mode. Review every tool call.

Install MATLAB R2021a or later and add it to your PATH, then download the server binary from the latest release. On macOS, download the arm64 or x64 file with curl and run chmod +x on it. Replace the example path with the real path to the binary. For Claude Code, GitHub Copilot CLI and Codex, MathWorks recommends its Agentic Toolkit Installer instead. Add arguments such as --initial-working-folder or --disable-telemetry=true after the path. The configs here are adapted from the README's commands and are generated.

Built from the package data we hold. Not yet tested by us.

Tools

  • Lists your MATLAB version and toolboxes

    Returns which MATLAB release and which toolboxes are installed, with version numbers.

    Try: “Which toolboxes do I have?”

    Read · detect_matlab_toolboxes

  • Checks a script for style and likely errors

    Runs MATLAB's static analysis on a .m file and returns warnings about style, possible errors, old functions and performance. The README says it does not run the script or change the file.

    Try: “Check analysis.m for problems.”

    Files · check_matlab_code

  • Runs MATLAB code you or Claude write

    Evaluates a string of MATLAB code in a project folder and returns the output. It can do anything MATLAB code can, including change files.

    Try: “Plot a sine wave and give me the max value.”

    Runs code · evaluate_matlab_code

  • Runs a MATLAB script file

    Runs a .m or .p file by its full path and returns the output. If a .p file shares the name, that one runs.

    Try: “Run simulation.m.”

    Runs code · run_matlab_file

  • Runs a MATLAB unit test file

    Runs a test script that follows MATLAB's testing framework and returns detailed results.

    Try: “Run testMyFunction.m and summarize the failures.”

    Runs code · run_matlab_test_file

Read from the source code

Permissions

high risk · 5 things to watch

High risk

The assistant can run any MATLAB code on your computer, including code that changes or deletes files. Review each tool call before it runs, and work in a project folder you can restore.

What it can do

  • Read your data
  • Create and change things
  • Delete things
  • Read-only mode

Watch out for

  • It runs any MATLAB code on your computer

    evaluate_matlab_code and run_matlab_file run code with your user's file and system access, with no sandbox or read-only switch. The README tells you to review every tool call and keep a human in the loop. github.com

  • Anonymous usage data goes to MathWorks by default

    The README says the server may send fully anonymized usage information to MathWorks and that this is on by default. Set --disable-telemetry=true to opt out. github.com

  • You download and run a program binary

    Windows and Linux use the release download, and macOS needs a curl download and chmod +x. Download only from the project's releases page. github.com

  • Custom license, one user per server

    The license limits use to MathWorks products and services, and the README says the server must not be shared by multiple users. github.com

  • The server tells the assistant what not to run

    Its built-in instructions tell the assistant not to run untrusted file-changing code without your consent and to avoid restoredefaultpath, which breaks the connection. github.com

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 1, 2026.

Technical details
Turning on read-onlyNo read-only mode is documented. Only detect_matlab_toolboxes and check_matlab_code are described as read-only.
Talks toMathWorks (anonymous usage data, on by default)
Sign-in and keysNo credentials in the server. It uses your installed, licensed MATLAB.
Scopes

  • Your local MATLAB session and files it can reach

Questions

Is it official?

Yes. It is published by MathWorks in its own GitHub organization.

Is it free?

The server is free to download, but you need MATLAB R2021a or later with a valid license. Its license ties use to MathWorks products and is not an open-source license.

What do I need before installing?

MATLAB installed and on your system PATH. Windows and Linux download the latest release, and macOS downloads the right binary with curl and makes it executable.

What is the easiest way to install it?

For Claude Code, GitHub Copilot CLI and Codex, MathWorks recommends its Agentic Toolkit Installer. For Claude Desktop, install the .mcpb bundle from the latest release.

Does it run on Windows, Mac and Linux?

Yes. The README has binaries for Windows, Linux and macOS (Apple silicon and Intel).

Can it use MATLAB sessions I already have open?

Yes, on R2023a and later. The default session mode tries to connect to an existing session set up for it and starts a new MATLAB if none is found.

Can it send my code to MathWorks?

The README says it may send anonymized usage information, not what that contains. Run it with --disable-telemetry=true to turn this off.

Can I run it read-only?

No. Only the toolbox listing and code check are read-only, and the run tools can change files.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Publisher
Official
Transport
stdio
Auth
None
Version
0.13.1
License
MathWorks custom (use with MathWorks products)
Last commit
Oct 30, 2026
Open issues
24
Listed in
Official MCP registry

WebsiteGitHubOfficial MCP RegistryChangelogIssues

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from. Issues, quotes and findings above link to their own source.

Show all 3
  1. MATLAB MCP Server README · github.com
  2. Server instructions (v0.16.0) · github.com
  3. LICENSE.md (v0.16.0) · github.com

Facts from the official MCP registry, GitHub, npm, PyPI and the Docker catalog. Updated Nov 2, 2026.