Yes, Modelbound is free to use.

How do I install Modelbound?

Modelbound is a local plugin. Install it using npm package: modelbound-mcp and add the generated configuration snippet to your AI app's MCP config file. Then restart your AI app.

What credentials does Modelbound need?

Modelbound requires the following credentials or environment variables: MODELBOUND_API_KEY. You can find setup instructions on the server detail page.

What AI apps work with Modelbound?

Modelbound uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and works with any MCP-compatible AI app, including Claude, ChatGPT / Codex, Gemini, Copilot, Cursor, and more.

Back to Browse

Modelbound MCP Server

by ModelBound

Developer ToolsModerate5.8MCP RegistryLocal

Free

Server data from the Official MCP Registry

Local-first MCP server for agent skills. Validate, lint, diff, and convert across IDEs.

About

Local-first MCP server for agent skills. Validate, lint, diff, and convert across IDEs.

Security Report

5.8

Moderate5.8Moderate Risk

This is a well-structured MCP server for local skill file management with optional cloud sync. Authentication and authorization are properly handled: local tools require no credentials and work offline, while cloud tools properly gate access behind `MODELBOUND_API_KEY` checks. Path traversal is mitigated with the `inside()` function. Minor code quality issues exist (broad exception handling, weak input validation on some cloud tool parameters) but do not present security risks. Permissions appropriately match the server's purpose. Supply chain analysis found 2 known vulnerabilities in dependencies (0 critical, 2 high severity). Package verification found 1 issue.

7 files analyzed · 7 issues found

Security scores are indicators to help you make informed decisions, not guarantees. Always review permissions before connecting any MCP server.

Permissions Required

This plugin requests these system permissions. Most are normal for its category.

File System Read

Reads files on your machine. Normal for tools that analyze or process local data.

File System Write

Writes or modifies files on your machine. Check that this is expected for the tool.

env_vars

Check that this permission is expected for this type of plugin.

HTTP Network Access

Connects to external APIs or services over the internet.

What You'll Need

Set these up before or after installing:

ModelBound API key for optional cloud sync features. Get one at https://modelbound.co/settings/api-keysRequired

Environment variable: MODELBOUND_API_KEY

How to Install

Add this to your MCP configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-modelbound-modelbound-mcp": {
      "env": {
        "MODELBOUND_API_KEY": "your-modelbound-api-key-here"
      },
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "modelbound-mcp"
      ],
      "command": "npx"
    }
  }
}

Documentation

View on GitHub

From the project's GitHub README.

modelbound-mcp

Local-first MCP server for agent skills. Validate, lint, diff, and convert agent skill files across Cursor, Claude, Kiro, Windsurf, VS Code, and Amazon Q — no account required. Optional cloud sync with ModelBound.

What it does

modelbound-mcp is a small Model Context Protocol server you run locally over stdio. It exposes tools to your IDE / agent:

Local (no API key, no network):

detect_ide_layout — find which IDE conventions your repo uses
list_local_skills, read_local_skill, write_local_skill
lint_skill — front-matter, token count, broken links, TODO scan
validate_skill_format — agentskills.io compliance
convert_skill — translate between IDE formats (e.g. Cursor → Claude)

Cloud (with MODELBOUND_API_KEY):

pull_skill, push_skill, list_cloud_skills, search_cloud, diff_skill
install_marketplace_skill, get_context_health

The cloud tools are a thin JSON-RPC proxy to mcp.modelbound.co. All business logic stays server-side; this repo never touches your data or secrets.

Install

No install needed:

npx modelbound-mcp

Or install globally:

npm i -g modelbound-mcp

Use as an MCP server

Cursor (`.cursor/mcp.json`)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "modelbound": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "modelbound-mcp"],
      "env": { "MODELBOUND_API_KEY": "mb_live_..." }
    }
  }
}

MODELBOUND_API_KEY is optional. Without it, local tools still work.

See examples/ for Claude Desktop, Kiro, Windsurf, and VS Code configs.

Use as a CLI

modelbound-mcp detect                                  # which IDE layouts exist here?
modelbound-mcp ls                                      # list every skill file
modelbound-mcp lint .cursor/rules/                     # lint a directory
modelbound-mcp validate ./SKILL.md                     # agentskills.io compliance
modelbound-mcp convert --from cursor --to claude ./rule.mdc > out.md

Contributing

We want help. Specifically:

New IDE adapters — Zed, Aider, Continue, JetBrains AI, Cline. See CONTRIBUTING.md for the ~50 line recipe.
Linter rules — token estimation accuracy, dead-link detection, format-specific gotchas.
Format converters — fidelity improvements between adapter pairs.

Browse good first issues and the roadmap.

License

MIT © ModelBound

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Security Report

Findings (7)Action required

Permissions Required

What You'll Need

How to Install

Documentation

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What it does

Install

Use as an MCP server

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Use as a CLI

Contributing

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Modelbound MCP Server

About

Security Report

Findings (7)Action required

Permissions Required

What You'll Need

How to Install

Documentation

modelbound-mcp

What it does

Install

Use as an MCP server

Cursor (.cursor/mcp.json)

Use as a CLI

Contributing

License

Reviews

No reviews yet

More Developer Tools MCP Servers

Fetch

Git

Toleno

mcp-creator-python

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Cursor (`.cursor/mcp.json`)