Install RouterMCP CLI

npm install -g routermcp

Or use npx without installing:

npx routermcp --help

Create Configuration

Generate a starter configuration file:

routermcp config

This creates routermcp.jsonc in your current directory. Edit it to add your MCP servers:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "transport": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/directory"]
    },
    "github": {
      "transport": "stdio", 
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_TOKEN}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Start the Gateway

routermcp

By default, RouterMCP starts in stdio mode. For HTTP mode:

routermcp --http

This starts an HTTP server on http://127.0.0.1:5151.

Connect Your AI Client

Configure your MCP client to connect to RouterMCP. For Claude Desktop, add to your config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "routermcp": {
      "command": "routermcp",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

For HTTP mode, use the SSE endpoint: http://127.0.0.1:5151/sse

Sign Up

Create an account at routermcp.com.

Create a Project

Projects are containers for your MCP servers. Create one from the dashboard and give it a memorable slug (e.g., my-project).

Add MCP Servers

Add your upstream MCP servers. RouterMCP Cloud supports:

• HTTP/SSE servers - Connect to remote MCP servers
• Managed servers - Use pre-configured servers from our registry

Generate an API Key

Create an API key for your project. You'll use this to authenticate your MCP client.

Connect Your Client

Use the provided endpoint URL in your MCP client configuration:

https://gateway.routermcp.com/v1/mcp/your-project-slug/sse

Include your API key in the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer your-api-key