SQLite MCP Server

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server implementation for SQLite databases, providing secure and controlled access to SQLite operations through a standardized interface.

📋 Table of Contents

• Features
• Quick Start
• Installation
• Integration Guide
  • Claude Desktop
  • Cursor IDE
  • Continue.dev
  • Other MCP Clients
• Available Tools (28 Tools)
• Tool Documentation
• Permission System
• Configuration
• Security Guidelines

⚡ Quick Start

Get up and running in 30 seconds:

# Run directly with npx (no installation required)
npx @berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server sqlite:////path/to/database.sqlite list,read,create,update,delete

Or add to your MCP client configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server", "sqlite:////path/to/db.sqlite", "list,read,create,update,delete"]
    }
  }
}

🚀 Features

Core Functionality

• MCP Protocol Compliance: Full implementation of the Model Context Protocol for seamless integration with MCP clients
• SQLite Integration: Native SQLite support using better-sqlite3 for optimal performance
• Granular Permissions: Fine-grained permission system with 10 distinct permission types
• Security First: Comprehensive SQL injection protection and query validation
• Schema Introspection: Complete database schema analysis and reporting
• Connection Pooling: Efficient database connection management
• Audit Logging: Detailed operation logging for security and compliance

Permission System

The server implements a granular permission system with the following types:

• list - List tables and schemas
• read - SELECT queries and data retrieval
• create - INSERT operations
• update - UPDATE operations
• delete - DELETE operations
• execute - Execute stored procedures/functions
• ddl - Data Definition Language (CREATE, ALTER, DROP)
• procedure - Stored procedures (N/A for SQLite - reserved for compatibility)
• transaction - Transaction control (BEGIN, COMMIT, ROLLBACK)
• utility - Utility operations (VACUUM, ANALYZE, PRAGMA, etc.)

Security Features

• SQL Injection Prevention: Parameterized queries and pattern detection
• Query Validation: Comprehensive query analysis and sanitization
• Permission Enforcement: Operation-level permission checking
• Rate Limiting: Configurable request rate limiting
• Audit Trail: Complete operation logging with client tracking
• Input Sanitization: Parameter validation and sanitization

Auto-Creation Features

• Database Auto-Creation: Automatically creates database files if they don't exist
• Directory Auto-Creation: Creates parent directories recursively as needed
• Intelligent Initialization: Detects new vs existing databases and logs appropriately
• Zero-Configuration Setup: Works out-of-the-box with any valid SQLite path

📦 Installation

NPX Usage (Recommended)

npx @berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server sqlite:////path/to/your/database.sqlite list,read,utility

Global Installation

npm install -g @berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server
mcp-sqlite-server sqlite:////path/to/your/database.sqlite list,read,create,update

Local Installation

npm install @berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server

🔗 Integration Guide

Standard MCP Configuration

Add this configuration to your MCP client's config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server",
        "sqlite:////path/to/database.sqlite",
        "list,read,create,update,delete,utility"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Arguments Explained:

Config File Locations by Client

Platform-Specific Path Examples

# macOS/Linux
"sqlite:////Users/yourname/databases/app.sqlite"
"sqlite:////home/user/projects/data.sqlite"

# Windows
"sqlite:///C:/Users/yourname/databases/app.sqlite"

# Relative path (from working directory)
"sqlite://./data/app.sqlite"

# In-memory database
"sqlite://:memory:"

Multiple Databases

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "main-db": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server", "sqlite:////path/to/main.sqlite", "list,read,create,update,delete"]
    },
    "analytics-db": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@berthojoris/mcp-sqlite-server", "sqlite:////path/to/analytics.sqlite", "list,read"]
    }
  }
}

🔧 Configuration

Connection String Formats

The server supports multiple SQLite connection string formats:

# Absolute path
sqlite:////absolute/path/to/database.sqlite

# Relative path  
sqlite://./relative/path/to/database.sqlite

# In-memory database
sqlite://:memory:

# Direct file path
/path/to/database.sqlite

Permission Combinations

Detailed Permission Descriptions

Common permission combinations for different use cases:

# Read-only access
list,read

# Basic CRUD operations
list,read,create,update,delete

# Full database access
list,read,create,update,delete,execute,ddl,transaction,utility

# Analytics/reporting
list,read,utility

# Development/testing
list,read,create,update,delete,ddl,transaction,utility

🔌 Available Tools

The MCP server provides 28 powerful tools for comprehensive SQLite database management:

Tools Summary

Tool Categories

Data Query & Retrieval:

• sqlite_query - Run SELECT statements
• sqlite_schema - Inspect database structure
• sqlite_tables - List available tables
• sqlite_relations - Analyze table relationships and foreign keys

Data Manipulation (CRUD):

• sqlite_insert - Create new records
• sqlite_update - Modify existing records
• sqlite_delete - Remove records

Bulk Operations:

• sqlite_bulk_insert - Insert many records efficiently
• sqlite_bulk_update - Update many records at once
• sqlite_bulk_delete - Delete many records with cascade support

Schema Management:

• sqlite_ddl - CREATE/ALTER/DROP tables and indexes
• sqlite_views - Create, drop, and manage database views
• sqlite_indexes - Index management and optimization

Constraints & Relationships:

• sqlite_constraints - View and analyze constraints and foreign keys

Data Migration:

• sqlite_migrate - Clone tables, compare structures, and copy data

Database Operations:

• sqlite_transaction - Atomic multi-query execution
• sqlite_backup - Database backup utility
• sqlite_backup_restore - Backup tables and restore from SQL files

📖 Full Documentation: See DOCUMENTATIONS.md for detailed parameters, examples, and response formats for each tool.

🔒 Security Guidelines

Best Practices

1. Principle of Least Privilege: Only grant necessary permissions
2. Use Parameterized Queries: Always use parameters for dynamic values
3. Regular Backups: Implement automated backup strategies
4. Monitor Audit Logs: Review operation logs regularly
5. Connection Limits: Set appropriate connection pool limits
6. Read-Only When Possible: Use read-only mode for reporting/analytics

Security Features

• SQL Injection Protection: Automatic detection of dangerous patterns
• Query Validation: Comprehensive query analysis before execution
• Permission Enforcement: Operation-level access control
• Rate Limiting: Configurable request throttling
• Audit Logging: Complete operation tracking
• Input Sanitization: Parameter validation and cleaning

Dangerous Operations

The server automatically blocks or restricts:

• Multiple statement execution
• Dangerous SQL patterns (UNION-based injections, etc.)
• Unauthorized schema modifications
• Excessive query complexity
• Operations without proper permissions

📄 License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

🆘 Support

For issues, questions, or contributions:

• GitHub Issues: Repository Issues
• Documentation: Full Documentation

Note: This server is designed for secure, controlled access to SQLite databases through the Model Context Protocol. Always follow security best practices and regularly review audit logs in production environments.

Last Updated: 2025-12-20 20:00:00