Skip to main content

Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cowagent.ai/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

CowAgent supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing the Agent to directly invoke tens of thousands of community MCP tools. Configure mcp.json once and the tools are exposed to the LLM in exactly the same way as built-in tools — automatically selected and invoked.

​
Configuration File

CowAgent reads ~/cow/mcp.json. If the file does not exist, no MCP tools are loaded — and no error is raised. For Docker deployments, the official docker-compose.yml already mounts the host’s ./cow directory to /home/agent/cow inside the container (i.e. the container user’s ~/cow). Just drop mcp.json into the host’s ./cow/ directory and it will take effect.

​
Standard Format

Fully compatible with the MCP community standard, identical to Claude Desktop / Cursor: 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "<server-name>": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "some-mcp-package"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
FieldRequiredDescription
commandstdioExecutable to launch the server (e.g. npx, python, uvx)
argsNoArguments passed to command
envNoEnvironment variables for the subprocess, commonly used for API keys
urlSSESSE endpoint URL (alternative to command)
disabledNoWhen true, this server is skipped — handy for temporary disabling

​
Full Example

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fetch": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["mcp-server-fetch"]
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<YOUR_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}
  • fetch: Generic web page fetcher that returns page text content. No API key required.
  • github: Access GitHub repos, issues, PRs, etc. Requires a Personal Access Token.

​
Let the Agent Configure It for You

CowAgent ships with read / write / edit tools, so you can simply send the MCP config to the Agent and ask it to write the file: For example: 
Add this MCP to ~/cow/mcp.json:

{"mcpServers":{"fetch":{"command":"uvx","args":["mcp-server-fetch"]}}}
The Agent will:
  1. Read the existing MCP config and merge the new server entry, preserving existing ones
  2. Hot-reload the new MCP server, so the corresponding tools become available on the next message

​
How It Works

  • Async loading at startup: All servers configured in mcp.json are loaded asynchronously in the background, never blocking the main loop — chat is usable immediately.
  • Hot reload: When you or the Agent modifies mcp.json, changed servers are automatically reloaded after the current message — no need to restart cow.
  • Flat exposure: Each method exposed by an MCP server appears as an individual tool. The LLM picks one directly without a second-stage decision.

​
Supported Transports

TransportDescriptionConfig Field
stdioSubprocess communication. The most common option, with the richest community ecosystem.command + args
SSEHTTP Server-Sent Events, suitable for remotely hosted MCP services.url

​
Troubleshooting

SymptomWhat to Check
Agent has no MCP tools after startupVerify that ~/cow/mcp.json exists and contains valid JSON
A specific server fails to loadLook for [MCP] Server 'xxx' load failed in startup logs — usually missing dependencies or API keys
Changes to mcp.json aren’t appliedChanges take effect on the next message. If the server config didn’t actually change (e.g. only comments edited), no restart is triggered
Docker deploymentMake sure host’s ./cow is mounted to /home/agent/cow in the container, then just drop mcp.json into host’s ./cow/. Or just ask the Agent to do it
You can browse third-party MCP marketplaces and copy a JSON config to use directly, for example: Any MCP server that follows the standard protocol (stdio / SSE) integrates with CowAgent out of the box.