AI Tool Atlas
MCP server Official

MongoDB MCP Server

Official MongoDB MCP server: query and manage MongoDB databases and Atlas from an AI agent, with a read-only mode.

Author
MongoDB
Works with
Any MCP client, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenAI Codex
License
Apache-2.0
Last release
Oct 1, 2026
Documented
Oct 2, 2026
Repository ↗

What MongoDB MCP Server is

A Model Context Protocol server for interacting with MongoDB databases and MongoDB Atlas. It runs locally via npx and connects with a connection string or Atlas API service-account credentials. The README recommends starting in read-only mode.

What it does

How MongoDB MCP Server plugs in: which agents run it and what it addsRUNS INYour agentAny MCP clientCursorOpenAI CodexGemini CLI4 hosts documentedMCP SERVER · OFFICIALMongoDB MCP ServerConnect the agent to tools, data…5 install steps2 permission noteslicense: Apache-2.0WHAT IT ADDSWhat it doesRun find, aggregate, count and ex…Inspect databases, collections, s…Insert, update and delete documen…Create and drop collections and i…agent → extension → new capability · from the official repository or docs
Where MongoDB MCP Server runs and what it adds, from its documentation
  • Run find, aggregate, count and explain against collections
  • Inspect databases, collections, schemas, indexes and storage size
  • Insert, update and delete documents when not in read-only mode
  • Create and drop collections and indexes
  • Export query results in EJSON format
  • Manage Atlas resources when Atlas API credentials are provided

When to use it

Good fit

  • You want an agent to explore or query a MongoDB or Atlas deployment
  • You need read-only database access for an AI assistant
  • You want Atlas administration tools in the same server

Not for

  • You cannot run Node.js 22.13+ (Docker is documented as an alternative)
  • You want write access without confirmation prompts on destructive tools (several tools require confirmation by default)

How to install MongoDB MCP Server

You need: Node.js v22.13.0 or later; A MongoDB connection string or Atlas API service-account credentials (required for Atlas tools)

  1. Install Node.js v22.13.0 or later
  2. Run interactive setup: npx -y mongodb-mcp-server@latest setup
  3. Or add the server to your MCP client config with npx -y mongodb-mcp-server@latest --readOnly
  4. Pass MDB_MCP_CONNECTION_STRING or Atlas API credentials (MDB_MCP_API_CLIENT_ID / MDB_MCP_API_CLIENT_SECRET) via env
  5. Remove --readOnly only if you need write operations
Configuration example (from the official docs)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "MongoDB": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mongodb-mcp-server@latest", "--readOnly"],
      "env": {
        "MDB_MCP_CONNECTION_STRING": "mongodb://localhost:27017/myDatabase"
      }
    }
  }
}

Permissions and security

What it can access

  • Reads and, unless --readOnly is set, writes data in the connected MongoDB deployment
  • Atlas tools act with the permissions of the supplied service account

Security notes from the maintainers

  • README recommends minimum permissions for the Atlas service account
  • README strongly recommends environment variables instead of command-line arguments for connection strings and API credentials
  • Telemetry is enabled by default (MDB_MCP_TELEMETRY / --telemetry)
  • Destructive tools such as drop-database, drop-collection and delete-many require confirmation by default

Review the source before granting an agent access to credentials or production systems. We document what the maintainers state; we do not audit code.

Limitations

  • Atlas tools need Atlas API service-account credentials
  • Node 20.x support is deprecated

Tools it extends

Frequently asked questions

Does the MongoDB MCP Server support read-only mode?

Yes. Start it with the --readOnly flag (or MDB_MCP_READ_ONLY); the README's examples all include it by default. source

What Node.js version does the MongoDB MCP Server need?

Node.js v22.13.0 or later; Node 20.x support is deprecated. A Docker option avoids a local Node install. source

How does the MongoDB MCP Server connect to my database?

Through a connection string (MDB_MCP_CONNECTION_STRING) or Atlas API service-account credentials; the README prefers environment variables over CLI arguments. source

Can the MongoDB MCP Server manage Atlas?

Yes, with Atlas API service-account credentials it exposes Atlas tools; the README advises minimum permissions. source

Related guides

Sources and gaps

More extensions to look at