sigrok-mcp-server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for sigrok — enables AI agents like Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor to capture, decode, and analyze signals from logic analyzers and measurement devices. Supports I2C, SPI, UART, CAN, and 100+ protocols via sigrok-cli.

Documentation | Getting Started

Tools

| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 |

Quickstart

Docker

docker pull ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server
docker run -i ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server

From source

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

go build -o sigrok-mcp-server ./cmd/sigrok-mcp-server
./sigrok-mcp-server

The server communicates over stdio (stdin/stdout JSON-RPC).

Configuration

Configuration is via environment variables:

| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SIGROK_CLI_PATH | sigrok-cli | Path to the sigrok-cli binary |
| SIGROK_TIMEOUT_SECONDS | 30 | Command execution timeout in seconds |
| SIGROK_WORKING_DIR | (empty) | Working directory for sigrok-cli execution |

MCP Client Configuration

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

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

To access USB devices from the container:

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

To also provide firmware files for devices that require them (e.g. Kingst LA2016):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sigrok": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "-i", "--rm", "--privileged",
        "-v", "/path/to/sigrok-firmware:/usr/local/share/sigrok-firmware:ro",
        "ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add sigrok -- docker run -i --rm ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server

With USB access and firmware:

claude mcp add sigrok -- docker run -i --rm --privileged -v /path/to/sigrok-firmware:/usr/local/share/sigrok-firmware:ro ghcr.io/kenosinc/sigrok-mcp-server

Firmware

Some hardware drivers require firmware files that cannot be bundled with this server due to licensing restrictions. The server works without firmware for devices that don't need it (e.g. demo, protocol-only analysis). For devices that require firmware (e.g. Kingst LA2016, Saleae Logic16), mount your firmware directory into the container at /usr/local/share/sigrok-firmware.

Use the check_firmware_status tool to verify firmware availability and diagnose device detection issues.

See the sigrok wiki for firmware extraction instructions for your device.

Architecture

MCP Client (LLM)
    |  stdio (JSON-RPC)
    v
sigrok-mcp-server (Go)
    |  exec.Command
    v
sigrok-cli
    |
    v
libsigrok / libsigrokdecode

- Transport: stdio (stdin/stdout JSON-RPC)
- No C bindings: sigrok-cli is the sole interface to sigrok
- Capture & decode: capture_data acquires data from devices; all other tools are read-only queries
- Structured output: Raw sigrok-cli text output is parsed into JSON

Workflow Example

A typical signal analysis workflow using Claude:

1. scan_devices — Discover connected hardware
2. show_driver_details — Check driver capabilities
3. capture_data — Capture communication data to file
4. decode_protocol — Decode captured data with protocol decoders
5. Claude analyzes the decoded output and explains the communication

Development

```bash