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OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps - MCP Implementation

OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps

OpenAPI MCP Server empowers developers to simplify complex APIs, letting AI decode technical specs into actionable steps via plain language.

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Ranked in the top 2% of all AI tools in its category

About OpenAPI MCP Server

What is OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps?

OpenAPI MCP Server acts as a bridge between AI models like Claude/Cursor and the vast ecosystem of OpenAPI specifications. It leverages the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to simplify API exploration by breaking down complex specs into human-readable insights. Think of it as a smart assistant that deciphers APIs for developers—without the hassle of digging through raw YAML/JSON.

Key evolution: Now under new ownership, the v2 iteration focuses on deep exploration rather than direct endpoint execution. While authentication hurdles prevent live testing, this makes it a powerhouse for generating code snippets and documentation drafts.

How to Use OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps?

Getting Started

  1. Install via terminal: npx openapi-mcp-server init
  2. Pair with supported tools like Claude Desktop or Cursor

Query Examples

  • "Show me the Stripe API's payment processing endpoints"
  • "Walk me through GitHub's pull request creation workflow"

Behind the scenes: The server first fetches API overviews, then drills into specific operations using oapis.org's database—always returning explanations in simple terms.

OpenAPI MCP Server Features

Key Features of OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps?

  • Instant API snapshot: Get summaries of any OpenAPI-compliant spec
  • Operation deep dives: Detailed breakdowns of parameters, responses, and security requirements
  • Format flexibility: Parses both JSON and YAML definitions seamlessly
  • AI-native integration: Designed for smooth use with language models through MCP

Use Cases of OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps?

Developer Efficiency

Saves hours by auto-generating API documentation summaries and code skeleton files

Onboarding New Teams

Quickly explain legacy APIs to new members using plain-language descriptions

Rapid Prototyping

Test API logic flows without setting up authentication—a game-changer for mock development

Education

OpenAPI MCP Server FAQ

FAQ from OpenAPI MCP Server: Simplify APIs, AI-Decoded Steps?

Why can't I execute endpoints directly?

Authentication handling is still a work in progress. For now, focus on using it as a knowledge base for code generation.

Which versions are supported?

v2 is the active branch, but legacy versions up to 1.2 are still accessible via the v1 docs

Can I contribute?

Absolutely! The maintainer @janwilmake welcomes DMs with feature ideas or bug reports

Is it free?

Yes! MIT-licensed and open-source—though the oapis.org backend might have usage limits

Content

OpenAPI MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Claude/Cursor that enables searching and exploring OpenAPI specifications through oapis.org.

The MCP works by applying a 3 step process :

  1. It figures out the openapi identifier you need
  2. It requests a summary of that in simple language
  3. It determines which endpoints you need, and checks out how exactly they work (again, in simple language)

[!IMPORTANT] OpenAPI MCP has found a new owner and has been migrated from v1.2 to v2, which works different to the previous version. You can still access any version prior to v2.0.0 and their README is here

OpenAPI MCP v2 is a Work In Progress and focuses on exploration and providing context about APIs. It does not allow executing the endpoints as tools directly, as authentication isn't a solved problem with MCP yet. However, it's great for codegen!

Expect bugs. Open To Contributers, DM

Features

  • Get an overview of any OpenAPI specification
  • Retrieve details about specific API operations
  • Support for both JSON and YAML formats
  • Tested with Claude Desktop and Cursor

Installation

Run and follow instructions:

npx openapi-mcp-server init

Usage in Claude

Once installed, you can ask Claude to:

  • "Find information about the Stripe API"
  • "Explain how to use the GitHub API's repository endpoints"

Claude will use the MCP server to:

  1. First get an overview of the requested API
  2. Then retrieve specific operation details as needed

Requirements

  • Node.js >= 16.17.0
  • Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any other MCP client.

License

MIT

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