json-mcp

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for querying and manipulating JSON data using JSONPath expressions.

Features

This MCP server provides powerful tools for working with JSON files:

• search: Search JSON data in a file by simple text and return JSONPaths with context around matching elements
• query: Query JSON data in a file by JSONPath expressions
• appendToArray: Append element to array(s) selected by JSONPath
• set: Set (upsert) a value at a JSONPath. Can update a single match or all matches.
• delete: Delete element at JSONPath in a file

Installation

You can run this server using npx:

npx @lpenguin/json-mcp

Or install it globally:

npm install -g @lpenguin/json-mcp

Usage

As an MCP Server

Add to your MCP client configuration (e.g., Claude Desktop, Cline):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "@lpenguin/json-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@lpenguin/json-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Tool Examples

Search for text in JSON file

// Search for "apple" in data.json
{
  "name": "search",
  "arguments": {
    "file": "/path/to/data.json",
    "searchText": "apple"
  }
}

Query by JSONPath

// Get all book titles from books.json
{
  "name": "query",
  "arguments": {
    "file": "/path/to/books.json",
    "path": "$.store.book[*].title"
  }
}

Append to array

// Append new item to array in items.json
{
  "name": "appendToArray",
  "arguments": {
    "file": "/path/to/items.json",
    "path": "$.items",
    "value": {"name": "new item", "price": 9.99}
  }
}

Set (upsert) data

// Set or create a value at path in config.json (updates first match only)
{
  "name": "set",
  "arguments": {
    "file": "/path/to/config.json",
    "path": "$.settings.timeout",
    "value": 5000
  }
}

// Set value at all matching paths (when all=true)
{
  "name": "set",
  "arguments": {
    "file": "/path/to/data.json",
    "path": "$.items[*].price",
    "value": 9.99,
    "all": true
  }
}

Delete data

// Delete first item from array in items.json
{
  "name": "delete",
  "arguments": {
    "file": "/path/to/items.json",
    "path": "$.items[0]"
  }
}

JSONPath Syntax

This server uses jsonpath-plus which supports the full JSONPath specification:

• $ - Root node
• @ - Current node
• . - Child operator
• .. - Recursive descent
• * - Wildcard
• [] - Array subscript
• [,] - Union operator
• [start:end:step] - Array slice
• ?() - Filter expression
• () - Script expression

Examples:

• $.store.book[*].author - All authors
• $..author - All authors (recursive)
• $.store.* - All things in store
• $.store..price - All prices in store
• $..book[?(@.price < 10)] - All books cheaper than 10
• $..book[-1:] - Last book

Development

Setup

npm install

Build

npm run build

Test

npm test

License

MIT