MATLAB MCP Core Server

Content

MATLAB MCP Core Server is the official MathWorks MCP server for connecting AI applications to MATLAB. It runs as a local stdio server and can connect Claude Code, Claude Desktop, VS Code, or another MCP client to a licensed MATLAB installation.

Use it when Claude needs MATLAB-specific context instead of generic file access: installed toolbox discovery, MATLAB Code Analyzer findings, reviewed code evaluation, script execution, MATLAB test execution, or custom tools backed by MATLAB functions already on the MATLAB path.

Source Review

• https://github.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/README.md
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/LICENSE.md
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/cmd/matlab-mcp-core-server/main.go
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/internal/adaptors/application/parameter/defaultparameters/defaultparameters.go
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/internal/adaptors/mcp/tools/singlesession/evalmatlabcode/definition.go
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/internal/adaptors/mcp/tools/singlesession/runmatlabfile/definition.go
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/internal/adaptors/mcp/tools/singlesession/runmatlabtestfile/definition.go
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/guides/custom-tools.md
• https://raw.githubusercontent.com/matlab/matlab-mcp-core-server/main/internal/adaptors/telemetry/factory.go

These sources were reviewed on 2026-06-06. Prefer the live repository, README, license, server entry point, CLI parameter definitions, tool definition source, custom tool guide, and telemetry factory for current behavior.

Features

• Run as a local stdio MCP server named matlab-mcp-core-server.
• Detect installed MATLAB versions and toolboxes.
• Start MATLAB on demand or initialize MATLAB when the server starts.
• Connect to a new MATLAB process, an existing MATLAB instance, or automatic session selection.
• Analyze .m files with MATLAB Code Analyzer without modifying the file.
• Evaluate reviewed MATLAB code in an existing MATLAB context.
• Run selected MATLAB scripts and return command-window output.
• Run MATLAB test files through MATLAB's test framework.
• Expose custom MATLAB functions as MCP tools through reviewed extension-file JSON definitions.
• Provide MATLAB coding guideline and plain-text live-code resources.
• Disable upstream usage telemetry with --disable-telemetry=true.

Installation

Download the upstream release binary, build from source, or install the Claude Desktop MCPB bundle from the repository release page. Then add the stdio server to your MCP client.

Example MCP client configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "matlab": {
      "command": "{path-to-matlab-mcp-core-server}",
      "args": ["--disable-telemetry=true"]
    }
  }
}

For project-specific work, pass an initial folder only after confirming that Claude should be allowed to work in that project:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "matlab": {
      "command": "{path-to-matlab-mcp-core-server}",
      "args": [
        "--disable-telemetry=true",
        "--initial-working-folder={project-folder}"
      ]
    }
  }
}

When using Claude Desktop, review the upstream MCPB and any filesystem access you grant through other extensions. When using custom MATLAB tools, inspect the extension JSON and the MATLAB functions it exposes before starting the server.

Use Cases

• Ask Claude to identify installed MATLAB toolboxes before choosing an analysis approach.
• Run MATLAB Code Analyzer on a reviewed .m file and discuss warnings.
• Execute a small MATLAB snippet after checking the exact code Claude plans to run.
• Run a project script in a known working folder and inspect command-window output.
• Run MATLAB unit tests after a code change.
• Expose a narrow, reviewed MATLAB function as a custom MCP tool for repeatable calculations.
• Pair Claude with MATLAB for scientific computing, simulation, signal processing, control systems, image processing, or engineering workflows where MATLAB is already the approved environment.

Safety and Privacy

Treat this server as a code-execution bridge into MATLAB, not as a passive documentation helper. MATLAB code can read and write files, start computations, open graphical tools, create models and figures, call external services, and change project state. Review the exact tool arguments before approving evaluation, script execution, test execution, or custom tool calls.

The server can reveal sensitive context through command-window output, installed toolbox lists, add-ons, project folders, code paths, logs, generated results, and test output. Upstream documentation says anonymized usage telemetry is on by default; add --disable-telemetry=true when you do not want that collection. Check MathWorks licensing guidance before shared, centralized, classroom, enterprise, or service-style deployments.

Duplicate Check

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