Sigrok MCP Server

Requires Go 1.25+ and `sigrok-cli` installed on your system.

Local serverstdioGo

What is the Sigrok MCP server?

Requires Go 1.25+ and sigrok-cli installed on your system. The sigrok mcp server wraps that behind the Model Context Protocol, so an assistant can use it through 11 defined tools rather than through you.

Its toolset

Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:

  • list_supported_hardware — List all supported hardware drivers
  • list_supported_decoders — List all supported protocol decoders
  • list_input_formats — List all supported input file formats
  • list_output_formats — List all supported output file formats
  • show_decoder_details — Show detailed info about a protocol decoder (options, channels, documentation)
  • show_driver_details — Show detailed info about a hardware driver (functions, scan options, devices)
  • show_version — Show sigrok-cli and library version information
  • scan_devices — Scan for connected hardware devices
  • capture_data — Capture communication data from a device and save to file
  • decode_protocol — Decode protocol data from a captured file using protocol decoders
  • check_firmware_status — Check firmware file availability in sigrok firmware directories

Configuration

You will need one environment variable: SIGROK_CLI_PATH. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.

Adding it to your client

The server ships on a container image as ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server, so your MCP client can launch it on demand — there is no separate build step. Add the server block to your client's configuration, restart it, and the tools register themselves.

When to reach for it

Among the knowledge and memory options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Sigrok's toolset — list_supported_hardware, list_supported_decoders, list_input_formats and 8 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by kenosinc; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Sigrok's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 11 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Sigrok.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the sigrok mcp server does with a few real requests.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
list_supported_hardwareList all supported hardware drivers
list_supported_decodersList all supported protocol decoders
list_input_formatsList all supported input file formats
list_output_formatsList all supported output file formats
show_decoder_detailsShow detailed info about a protocol decoder (options, channels, documentation)
show_driver_detailsShow detailed info about a hardware driver (functions, scan options, devices)
show_versionShow sigrok-cli and library version information
scan_devicesScan for connected hardware devices
capture_dataCapture communication data from a device and save to file
decode_protocolDecode protocol data from a captured file using protocol decoders
check_firmware_statusCheck firmware file availability in sigrok firmware directories

How to install the Sigrok MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sigrok": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": ["run", "-i", "--rm", "ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SIGROK_CLI_PATH": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
SIGROK_CLI_PATHFilesystem location the server is allowed to use.Optional

Example prompts to try

  • Use Sigrok to list supported hardware.
  • Use Sigrok to list supported decoders.
  • Use Sigrok to list input formats.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Sigrok to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 11 tools (list_supported_hardware, list_supported_decoders, list_input_formats, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Sigrok directly.