What is Cln Mcp

CLN-MCP is a Rust-based gRPC server designed to provide a standardized interface for Core Lightning nodes. It implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP) specification, allowing users to control Core Lightning nodes using Language Model Interfaces (LLM).

Use cases

Use cases for CLN-MCP include enabling automated trading systems, integrating with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, and providing enhanced control and monitoring for Lightning Network nodes.

How to use

To use CLN-MCP, clone the repository from GitHub, build the project using Cargo, and configure the server with command-line arguments. Ensure you have the necessary TLS certificates and set up compatible MCP clients like Claude or Goose.

Key features

Key features of CLN-MCP include a standardized gRPC interface, compatibility with Core Lightning nodes, support for mTLS certificate setup, and the ability to control nodes via LLM. Future goals include extending support for LND and optimizing RPC calls.

Where to use

CLN-MCP can be used in blockchain applications that require interaction with Core Lightning nodes, particularly in environments that leverage the Lightning Network for fast and scalable transactions.

Core Lightning MCP Server

A Rust-based gRPC server that provides a standardized interface to Core Lightning nodes. This server implements the MCP (Model Context Protocol) specification to enable control of the Core Lightning node using LLM.

Installation

Option 1: From Release (Recommended)

1. Download the appropriate binary for your platform from the latest release
2. Extract the archive:

   # For Linux/macOS
   tar -xzf cln-mcp-<platform>.tar.gz
   
   # For Windows
   # Use your preferred zip extractor
   

3. Make the binary executable (Linux/macOS only):

   chmod +x cln-mcp
   

Option 2: From Source

Prerequisites

• Rust 1.80 or higher
• Protocol Buffers Compiler (protoc)
• Core Lightning (with gRPC enabled)
• MCP clients (Claude, Goose, etc.)

Protocol Buffers Compiler (protoc)

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y protobuf-compiler

macOS:

brew install protobuf

Windows:

choco install protoc

Verify installation:

protoc --version  # Should show version 3.0.0 or higher

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/adi2011/cln-mcp.git
cd cln-mcp

2. Build the project:

cargo build --release

Configuration

The server can be configured using command-line arguments:

cln-mcp [OPTIONS]

Options:
  --certs-dir <path>    Path to certificates directory
  --node-address <url>  Node address (default: https://localhost:9736)
  --help                Shows help message

TLS Certificate Setup

Add the --grpc-port(default: 9736) option while running CLN, and it’ll automatically generate the appropriate mTLS certificates.

Copy the following PEM files from the Lightning directory to a separate directory:

• ca.pem: CA certificate
• client.pem: Client certificate
• client-key.pem: Client private key

Claude Setup

• Install Claude
• Go to settings -> Developer
• Edit Config

   {
       "mcpServers" : {
           "cln-mcp" : {
               "command": "Path/to/cln-mcp" (ex: "/Users/MyPC/cln-mcp/target/release/cln-mcp" or the executable unzipped from the release),
               "args": [
                   "--certs-dir",
                   "Path/to/certificates" (ex: "/Users/MyPC/cln-mcp/certs")
               ]
           }
       }
   }

• Restart Claude

Future Goals

[ ] Enable it to derive parameters for the RPC calls
[ ] Choose the most appropriate and useful RPCs for maximum utility
[ ] Extend support for LND
[ ] Host multiple servers to make it more efficient

This is a work in progress. We welcome code reviews, pull requests, and issues based on your usage.