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scira-mcp-chat

by zaidmukaddam · zaidmukaddam/scira-mcp-chat

A minimalist open-source MCP client web app — bring your own LLM, add MCP servers through a UI, and chat.

scira-mcp-chat is a Next.js web chat interface that acts as an MCP client. Stream responses via Vercel AI SDK (multiple providers), add MCP servers (HTTP or SSE) through a settings panel, and get a clean shadcn/ui interface. Pairs well with hosted MCP providers like Composio, Zapier, or Hugging Face.

▶ Watch demo 📦 Install 💡 Use Cases

Why use it

Key features

Live Demo

What it looks like in practice

scira-mcp-chat.replay ▶ ready
0/0

Install

Pick your client

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json  · Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "scira-mcp-chat": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "scira-mcp-chat"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. Restart after saving.

~/.cursor/mcp.json · .cursor/mcp.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "scira-mcp-chat": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "scira-mcp-chat"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Cursor uses the same mcpServers schema as Claude Desktop. Project config wins over global.

VS Code → Cline → MCP Servers → Edit
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "scira-mcp-chat": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "scira-mcp-chat"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Click the MCP Servers icon in the Cline sidebar, then "Edit Configuration".

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "scira-mcp-chat": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "scira-mcp-chat"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Same shape as Claude Desktop. Restart Windsurf to pick up changes.

~/.continue/config.json
{
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "scira-mcp-chat",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "scira-mcp-chat"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Continue uses an array of server objects rather than a map.

~/.config/zed/settings.json
{
  "context_servers": {
    "scira-mcp-chat": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": [
          "-y",
          "scira-mcp-chat"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to context_servers. Zed hot-reloads on save.

claude mcp add scira-mcp-chat -- npx -y scira-mcp-chat

One-liner. Verify with claude mcp list. Remove with claude mcp remove.

Use Cases

Real-world ways to use scira-mcp-chat

Self-host an MCP-enabled chat UI for your team

👤 Small teams wanting ChatGPT-like UX with tools ⏱ ~60 min intermediate

When to use: You want internal chat with MCP tools without paying per-seat for Claude Pro / ChatGPT Team.

Prerequisites
  • Node 20+ and Postgres — Vercel / Docker / self-hosted
  • LLM API keys — At least one of OpenAI / Anthropic / Google
Flow
  1. Clone and deploy
    Walk me through self-hosting scira-mcp-chat on Vercel with Postgres via Supabase.✓ Copied
    → Deployed URL + DB connected
  2. Add MCP servers
    In the settings UI, add Composio's HTTP endpoint for Slack + GitHub.✓ Copied
    → Tools visible in the chat
  3. Share with team
    How do I put this behind basic auth or SSO?✓ Copied
    → Next-Auth or proxy config suggestion

Outcome: A private chat UI with tools, way cheaper than per-seat SaaS.

Pitfalls
  • Keys stored per-user or globally? Depends on fork — Review auth/settings flow before putting real credentials in

Experiment with many MCP servers without editing config files

👤 MCP tinkerers / reviewers ⏱ ~30 min beginner

When to use: You want to evaluate 10 different MCP servers this weekend without modifying Claude Desktop config repeatedly.

Flow
  1. Add servers one at a time
    In the settings UI, paste the HTTP/SSE URL for each MCP server you want to try.✓ Copied
    → Tools list updates live
  2. Test each
    Use tool X with input Y. Report back.✓ Copied
    → Call + response visible

Outcome: Rapid MCP evaluation without restart cycles.

Pitfalls
  • stdio-only MCPs can't be used directly — Wrap them via a stdio-to-HTTP bridge or run via Smithery which hosts them

Combinations

Pair with other MCPs for X10 leverage

scira-mcp-chat + filesystem + fetch + github

DIY Claude Desktop replacement

Add filesystem (via HTTP wrapper), fetch, and github MCPs in the settings. Use as daily driver.✓ Copied

Tools

What this MCP exposes

ToolInputsWhen to callCost
(web UI) Natural chat This is the chat UI itself — not an MCP to be called from another client LLM provider cost

Cost & Limits

What this costs to run

API quota
Your LLM provider's rate limits
Tokens per call
Pass-through to the model
Monetary
Self-hosting = just infra cost. LLM = pay-as-you-go. MCP providers (Composio etc.) have their own tiers.
Tip
Use DeepSeek or Gemini Flash as the default model for team chat — 10-100x cheaper than GPT-4.

Security

Permissions, secrets, blast radius

Credential storage: API keys in env vars (self-host) or user settings (multi-user mode)
Data egress: Your LLM provider + whichever MCP servers you add
Never grant: Unauthenticated public deployment — your LLM keys will get drained

Troubleshooting

Common errors and fixes

Build fails on deploy

Next.js version mismatch — use the Node version in .nvmrc.

Verify: node --version
Added MCP server, no tools appear

Transport mismatch. HTTP URL must return the MCP handshake; SSE URL must keep the stream open.

Verify: curl the URL and inspect
DB connection errors

DATABASE_URL format: postgres://user:pass@host:5432/db?sslmode=require

Verify: psql $DATABASE_URL

Alternatives

scira-mcp-chat vs others

AlternativeWhen to use it insteadTradeoff
LibreChatYou want a more mature, feature-rich chat UIHeavier; MCP support via plugins
Open WebUIYou want native MCP 0.6.31+ support and Ollama integrationMore complex but batteries-included
Claude Desktop / Claude CodeYou only use Anthropic and want zero infraPaid; single-user

More

Resources

📖 Read the official README on GitHub

🐙 Browse open issues

🔍 Browse all 400+ MCP servers and Skills