Embedded Debugger MCP Server

Embedded Debugger MCP is a Rust server for embedded debugging through either probe-rs (native) or OpenOCD (via the GDB Remote Serial Protocol). It exposes a single MCP tool set for AI assistants — probe discovery, target control, memory, breakpoints, flash, RTT, and AI-facing crash diagnosis — plus a small CLI and bundled skill for a command-driven workflow without setting up an MCP client first.

Language versions: English | 中文

What It Provides

• One MCP tool set over two interchangeable backends (probe-rs native, or OpenOCD via GDB RSP), chosen at connect. Validated on real ESP32-S3.
• MCP tools for probe discovery, target connection, core control, memory access, breakpoints, flash programming, RTT communication, and crash diagnosis (diagnose_fault, unwind_exception).
• CLI commands for environment checks, configuration inspection, probe listing, MCP serving, and skill prompt handoff.
• A Codex/Claude Code compatible skill at skills/embedded-debugger.
• Release checks covering rustfmt, clippy, tests, docs, packaging, and the STM32 demo build.

Architecture

MCP client or CLI
        |
        v
embedded-debugger-mcp  (one MCP tool set)
        |
        v
DebugBackend:  probe-rs (native)  |  OpenOCD (GDB RSP)
        |
        v
debug probe / openocd  ->  target MCU

Requirements

• Rust stable toolchain.
• A probe-rs compatible debug probe such as ST-Link, J-Link, DAPLink, Black Magic Probe, or a supported FTDI-based probe. Alternatively, a running openocd exposing its GDB port (e.g. openocd-esp32 for ESP32) to use the openocd backend.
• A supported target chip and working SWD/JTAG wiring for hardware operations.
• Nightly Rust plus rust-src for the bundled STM32 demo firmware check.

Build

git clone https://github.com/adancurusul/embedded-debugger-mcp.git
cd embedded-debugger-mcp
cargo build --release

The binary is target/release/embedded-debugger-mcp.

MCP Mode

Run the server explicitly:

embedded-debugger-mcp serve

For compatibility, running embedded-debugger-mcp without a subcommand also serves MCP over stdio.

Example MCP client configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "embedded-debugger": {
      "command": "/path/to/embedded-debugger-mcp/target/release/embedded-debugger-mcp",
      "args": ["serve"],
      "env": {
        "RUST_LOG": "info"
      }
    }
  }
}

On Windows, use the .exe path and Windows path separators.

CLI And Skill Mode

CLI mode is useful for setup checks, automation, and agent workflows before an MCP client is configured.

embedded-debugger-mcp doctor
embedded-debugger-mcp doctor --json
embedded-debugger-mcp probes list
embedded-debugger-mcp probes list --json
embedded-debugger-mcp config generate
embedded-debugger-mcp config validate
embedded-debugger-mcp config show
embedded-debugger-mcp skill print-prompt
embedded-debugger-mcp skill install --target both

The bundled skill lives in:

skills/embedded-debugger/

It is written as a plain Codex skill and is also packaged for Claude Code with .claude-plugin/plugin.json. The skill starts with CLI checks and uses MCP tools only when an MCP client is available.

Install the skill for Codex and Claude Code:

embedded-debugger-mcp skill install --target both

Preview or automate the install with JSON: